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MR. WORLD and MISS 
CHURCH-MEMBER. 


A TWENTIETH CENTURY ALLEGORY. 
BY 


REV. W.^S< HARRIS. 




WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 

W. B. MUSSELMAN. 

ILLUSTRATIONS BY 

PAUL J. RRAFFT, 


WILLIAMSPORT, PA. 

GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY. 
1902. 









I 




I 


Preface 


FTER long and careful study we send 
forth this book to do its work. We 
offer no apology for adding one more 
volume to the endless library of modern times, 
constantly increasing at the rate of over one 
hundred volumes per week, the great bulk of 
which is consigned to the debris of the pass- 
ing years. We pray that this book may find 
a field of usefulness rather than an early 
grave. 

We need not tell of the pleasures and diffi- 
culties we experienced in preparing these 
twenty-five chapters for the press. Let it be 
known, however, that we were seconded and 
assisted by several able critics who, each one 
independently of the others, kindly reviewed 
the manuscript. At the suggestions of these 
critics minor changes were made in the several 
manuscript editions. These critics deserve 
much credit especially for the literary finish 
there may be to this book. 

The illustrations were drawn by Paul J. 
Krafft, of New York. They evince patient 
study and careful work, and display a crea- 


tive genius well suited to the field of allegory. 

The leading moral truths are developed in 
the memorable journey of Miss Church-Mem- 
ber upon the Broad Highway in company with 
the polite and yet fiendish Mr. World. In 
this lifelike journey the two companions come 
in contact with many of Satan’s up-to-date 
schemes, and witness his far-extended opera- 
tions in many a wicked realm. In the descrip- 
tions of all these things we have endeavored 
to be suggestive rather than exhaustive, for 
we have withheld the almost infinite details and 
brought to light only a mere synopsis of the 
panorama as seen from the lofty summit. 

WiU not the reader, as he takes one step 
after another in the progress of the story, 
reahze more keenly than ever the unspeakable 
deceptions of Satan, so bewitchingly robed in 
the garments of subtle treachery? 

The course of Miss Church-Member is a 
sad comment on the moving masses who are 
so thoroughly led captive by the Devil as to 
imagine that they are traveling on a more con- 
venient way to Heaven while they are actually 
on the Broad Highway to destruction. The 
logical ending of such a life is pictured in the 
remorseful and tragical experiences of Mr. 
World and Miss Church-Member in the Valley 
of the Shadow of Death. It is our prayer that 


each reader may be saved from snch a termi- 
nus of life by journeying on the King’s High- 
way and taking Christ as his all in all. Then 
when he comes to the place made shadowy by 
the power of sin and death, he will be sur- 
rounded with a light from the sure city of God 
and by a convoy of angels whose music wiU 
quell his rising fears, and by whose power he 
will be transported to his never-ending home. 

THE AUTHOR. 








« 


* 


9 


Contents. 


CHAP. page: 


1. The Meeting of Mr. World and Miss 

Church-Member, 23 

2. The By-Path, 37' 

3. The Devil’s Optical College, 42 

4. Satan Interpreting Scripture, 51 

5. The Devil’s Pawn Shop, 64v 

6. Satan’s Law Departments, (Under- 

ground) 79' 

7. The HiU of Remorse, 98 

8. The VaUey of Temptation, 109- 

9. The Tower of Temptation, 122. 

10. Dark Schemes of Satan, 135 ^ 

11. Schools of Literature, — First and 

Second Divisions, 144^ 

12. The Theatre, 158^ 

13. Schools of Literature, — Third Division, . 172: 

14. The Devil’s Temperance College, ISTT 

15. Infernal School System, 205 ^j 

16. Expert Inventors of the Broad High- 

way, 213^ 

17. The Wizard City, 230' 


•18. The Festival, 240 

19. The Missionary College,. 255 

20. The Rival Churches, 265 

21. From the Valley of Conviction to the 

Devil’s Auction, 278 

22. The Devil’s Hospital, 295 

-23. Satan’s Secret Service, 317 

24. The Last Warning, 327 

-25. The Valley of the Shadow of Death , . . . 338 


List of Illustrations. 


1. Looking through the open door of the 

Twentieth Century, 23 ^ 

2. Miss Church- Member hurries to the 

rescue of an unfortunate victim, 33 ^ 

3. “Let us follow this shining path, ” 

hopefully urged Miss Church-Mem- 
ber, 37 

4. Leaving the Optical College, 55 ^ 

5. A Scene in the Devil’s Pawn Shop, .... 67 

6. The “Shorter and Broader Way to 

Heaven, ” 75 

7. The final triumph of right over the 

black hordes of civil iniquity, 97 

8. On the Hill of Remorse, 100 

9. The Victory of Mrs. Discouraged on 

the Tower of Temptation, 130 

10. The Devil’s substitute for the prayer- 

meeting, 163 

11. A Scene in the Devil’s Temperance 

CoUege, 196 

12. The Wizard City, 219 


13. The Festival, 245 

14. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 

entering the Valley of Conviction, 278 

15. The Devil’s Auction, 291 

16. Miss Church-Member carried to the 

Devil’s Hospital, 296 

17. Struggling with the real and imaginary 

imps near the Black River, 345 

18. The glorious end of the righteous, 349 


Introduction 


By W. B. Musselman. 

General Sup’t op Gospel Worker Society. 

^ ITH some reluctance and a certain de- 
(OJ gree of prejudice did the officials of the 
“Gospel Worker Society” consent to 
examine the book entitled “ifr. World and Miss 
Church- Member ” for the purpose of deciding 
as to the advisibihty of adding said work to the 
Society’s regularily approved colportage litera- 
ture. 

The mission of the “Gospel Worker Soci- 
ety ” is not to despise sinners, but to love them ; 
not to condemn but to save ; not to antagonize, 
but to aid ( oft indirectly ) all Christian ( not re- 
form ) movements, and to possess available unoc- 
cuppied territory. 

To this end this Society devises plans and 
often resorts to means and methods extremely 
unique and unpopular in order to arrest the at- 
tention of the masses of non church goers and 
thus entice the same to hearing or reading about 
the Gospel of Christ our Lord. Therefore, the 
officials of this Society have for some time been 
earnestly endeavoring to add to its Colportage 


Department literature of the unique kind : viz, 
fascinating, entertaining or even exciting, on 
condition that the same be sound in doctrine, 
i. e., teaching in substance that CHmST is the 
“Way, the Truth and the Life, ” and that His 
followers are a separate people, misunderstood 
by the world, with a living hope in their souls, 
and that the world, and all Christian professors 
walking in fellowship with the world, end in 
darkness, despair, and doom. 

After due consideration “said officials” do 
hereby confess that this long-sought-for addition 
to the Gospel Worker Colportage Department is 
now being satisfactorially supplied in the most 
unique, fascinating and timely publication of the 
day, viz. “Jfr. World and Miss Church-Member, ” 
by W. S. Harris, an Allegory picturing awful and 
also blessed realities as seen at the opening of the 
20th Century. 

The book is unsectarian, not abusive ; the 
writer carefully avoids expressing his own opin- 
ion ( save to Blackana ) ; but simply, in a beautiful, 
'inoffensive, yet convincing manner, he reveals 
facts which cannot be gainsaid. He advances 
truths in such palatable capsules that the most 
indifferent reader is likely to relish them (the 
capsules) and thus become a partaker of the 
truth which, after once received, will not return 
void. 


We, however, admit that there may be terms, 
used or suggestions given in this publication 
which may not be fully understood by every 
reader as the Author expresses them, yet this 
should not be to the discredit of the work. There' 
are thousands of other treatises on different sub- 
jects, written in the customary style, which have' 
proved an untold blessing to those who have read 
them. However, in interesting the masses, the 
cold professor, and especially such as are totally 
indifferent in regard to the salvation of their own 
souls (without sacrificing the truth) this work 
will have few, if any, rivals among the publica- 
tions of sound, religious literature. We predict- 
for it an unusual sale and pray that God’s choic- 
est blessing may rest upon this book and its 
author. 

W. B. Musselman- 
Williamsport^ Pa,^ March, 1902. 





I V 




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Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century. 


CHAPTER I. 


Tlie Meeting of Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member. 


1. The dying of a century compared to the waning of 
a day. 

2. The allegory opens with a panoramic view of 
human life, as seen through the open door of the 20th 
century, on the Broad Highway and King’s Highway. 
Blackana is introduced. 

3. Mr. World meets Miss Church-Member at a place 
called Fellowship. Prom here she journeys with him on 
the Broad Highway where she witnesses several sad end- 
ings of human life. 


the closing hours of a long day I climbed 
Oy a rugged path to a high eminence whence 
I overlooked a beautiful valley and 
watched, with increasing delight, the changing 
hues of eairth and sky. 

As the shadows of twilight were deepening 
each moment grew more strange and mysterious 
until the waning day seemed to be transformed 
into the dying of the century; then I saw, as 
“through a glass darkly, ” the whole panorama of 
human life, with its painful pictures of sadness 
and sm, *and' its blessed* scenes ‘of peace and right- 
eousness. I also heard the unmistakable wails of 


C 


24 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

a suffering humanity and the turmoils of myriad 
contentions, aU strangely mingling with the songs 
of glory and the shouts of spiritual triumph. 

In deep silence I continued looking upon these 
endless confusions of the church and the world 
as they stiU played their perplexing parts in the 
fitful drama before me. AU of this so preyed 
upon my mind that I involuntarily cried out, in 
the anguish of my soul: “When will confusion 
come to an end, and sweet peace cover the earth 
as the waters cover the sea 

“WiU you wait for the winds to answer, or 
shaU I ?” replied a voice so passing strange that I 
was startled. 

I turned to see in whose presence I was and, 
to my horror, I beheld a dark creature unlike 
any mortal being. He was without definite form 
and not cumbered with any garments. His inde- 
scribable face was set with two bright eyes, 
softened in expression until a slight halo revealed 
to me a countenance half beautiful and half terri- 
ble. 

“Who are you, and what is your mission?” 
I finaUy ventured to ask after speech had found 
my lips, for I was altogether ignorant of his na- 
ture or purpose. 

“I am Blackana, from the lower world of 
spirits, and am commanded here to stay until re- 
leased. ” 


THEIR MEETING. 


25 


“Until released ? What power binds you here, 
and how long will you abide I asked in dread 
suspense. 

“I must remain, as your companion and inter- 
preter, until the vision is past. ” 

I trembled under these announcements, but 
I was assured that underneath me were “the ever- 
lasting arms” and, moreover, I heard a still, small 
voice whispering within me: “Stand still, O mor- 
tal man ! Neither Blackana nor any of his horde 
shall do thee harm. He hovers before thee at my 
bidding, and will leave thee only at my command. 
Ask him what thou wilt, and he must answer 
thee, even to the limit of his knowledge. ” 

At this juncture, and without a moment’s 
warning, my vision was enlarged and an unusual 
light flashed upon me. Quickly I cast my wonder- 
ing eyes all about me and saw that I was stand- 
ing at the very threshold of a great door. It was 
of such imposing dimensions and so magnifi- 
cently constructed that only the architects of 
Heaven could have designed it. 

Instinctively I turned to Blackana, whom I 
could now face without fear: “Where are we, and 
what is the meaning of this great door ?” And as 
I spoke unseen hands swung it open upon its 
hinges. 

“We are standing at the open door of the 
twentieth century. You may look out into the 


26 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

coming years as far as you wish, ’’ replied Black- 
ana in a cold, indifferent manner. 

Thrilled by such an unusual sight, and the 
thought which his interpretation and words sug- 
gested, I marveled at his sullenness, for Black- 
ana did not so much as lift his head to see the 
spectacle. 

“O, Blackana !” I cried, “why are you so dead 
to such surroundings ?” 

“These are mere playthings,” Was his gruff 
reply. “To me the doors of the centuries, which 
open and shut on the cycles of time, are as trifles, 
neither lessening my misery nor adding to my 
pleasure. ” 

During a brief, thoughtful silence I continued 
looking at him, as a shudder swept my whole 
being. I then turned from this creature so 
shrouded in mystery and, stepping forward to 
look through the open door, I was suddenly over- 
awed at the still greater scenes which spread in 
wondrous panorama before my entranced vision. 

Under the new light I beheld a marvelous 
sight, for I could distinctly see the myriad mil- 
lions of humanity moving on the paths of life tO: 
ward a common goal. 

In the bright halo of the scene I saw the b^u- 
tiful King’s Highway, on which were marching 
the hosts of the church militant, led triumphantly 


THEIR MEETING. 


27 


by the Spirit of God to the very gates of the 
Celestial City, which, though distant, I could yet 
see under the dazzling hght radiating from the 
central throne of glory as from untold suns. 

In the darker shadows of this same panorama 
I saw the Broad Highway with its thronging 
multitudes. Some, with dehberate step, scruti- 
nizing the objects along the way; others, in mad 
haste, rushing on toward an awful destruction 
whose wreck and ruin loomed up dimly in the 
glare of an eternal burning. 

Among the happy pilgrims of the King’s 
Highway was one named Miss Church- Member, 
who had left the Broad Way of death, and en- 
tered, through Christ, into that marvelous light 
wherein she was now walking. Her tread was in 
sweet harmony with the footsteps of her Master, 
and her beautiful face was aH aglow with the pas- 
sion of pure love. 

A pilgrim’s robe added beauty to her form; a 
Bible, carried under her arm, gave some evidence 
of her spiritual character; and a religious emblem, 
worn over her heart, told that she was a member 
of some Christian organization. 

Miss Church- Member, in traveling her chosen 
path, tarried at a place called Fellowship, which 
occupied a pleasing site close by the King’s High- 
way. . Here one could readily speak and associate 


28 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH- MEMBER. 

with the travelers who moved in gay companies 
along the Broad Highway. 

At this visiting place she met a certain Mr. 
World — a good, jolly fellow, of corpulent build, 
who was attired in the fashion of the day, and 
bore himself with more than usual jauntiness in 
the presence of Miss Church- Member. 

After a pleasing conversation, in which Mr. 
World plied his Satanic shrewdness and sophis- 
try, he was emboldened to give this brief invita- 
tion: ‘Will you journey a short distance with me 
on this Broader Way that I may prepare myself, 
with more facility, ta accompany you where you 
wish, even on a path as narrow as the one you seem 
to love?” ♦ 

“Ah, Mr. World,” she said, with a tolerant 
smile, “do you not know that you are walking on 
the way of danger and death ? Why would you 
have me share your folly? It were a thousand 
times better for you to join me at once on a path 
that leads to everlasting happiness. Here you can 
drink the water of life in abundance, and feed up- 
on angels’ food. O, come, Mr. World, ” she added 
as she spoke more earnestly, “linger no longer, 
carry out the resolution which you have already 
broken repeatedly, and you will never regret so 
wise an action. ” Thus did Miss Church-Member 
urge upon him a course which, in -her inimitable 
‘missionary spirit, she made really attractive to 


THEIR MEETING. 


2d 


him. Although he appreciated her genuine ear- 
nestness, yet he could not be induced to heed 
her words. 

“You have covered the whole field of my in- 
tention, ’’ he courteously replied. “I sincerely 
wish to mend my ways, but there are certain 
things I must first overcome. How much better 
I could do this if one like you, in whom I have su- 
preme confidence, would but journey at my side. 
Will you not do the work of a good missionary and, 
like Christ, adapt yourself to my level, that I may, 
by your uplifting infiuence, be drawn into a nobler 
life, and even have your companionship as I go up 
to the Highway of your King ?” 

Miss Church-Member, being of a sympathetic 
nature and of strong missionary proclivities, re- 
fused to heed her many counselors who feared for 
her safety, and actually stepped still farther from 
her wonted path and journeyed at the side of Mr. 
World with the desire to compass his conversion. 
But her conscience, at first, troubled her and hex 
feet moved with a suspicious tread. 

In this nervous, half confiding and half shrink- 
ing mood, she leaned lightly upon his arm, ever 
turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her well- 
meaning friends who still hoped to dissuade her 
from this ill-advised course. 

Mr. World was keenly delighted at her con- 
cession and loyalty to him. He seemed to be wiU- 


30 MR. WORLD AND MISS. CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ing to go to any sacrifice that might add to her 
comfort or increase her happiness. His many 
companions could readily see that Miss. Church- 
Member felt “out of place. ” But she justified her 
own course by what she was aiming to do. 

He saw that her dress of righteousness was 
in wide contrast with the filthy rags that covered 
his own soul, and so he preferred to look upon the 
garments that adorned his outer person, and the 
gaudy scenes on either side of the way. 

I hoheld this wide path along a great length, 
and I shiiddered as I saw the masses thereon who 
were engaged in the frivolities of life as found in 
the swiftly passing pleasures of sense and sight. 
The thoughtless throngs were seemingly uncon- 
scious that underneath the whole length and 
breadth of the path there were strata of fire, and 
they were apparently blind to the sulphurous 
flames which, here and there, issued from open- 
ings into which many an unsuspecting traveler 
feU. 

Sad to relate, of all the moving multitudes 
there were but few, indeed, who took warning and 
fled toward the King’s Highway. Many, like Miss 
Church-Member, were walking on the forbidden 
path for no other reason than some weak apology. 

“What mean these lurid openings?” ner- 
vously asked Miss Church-Member, for their 
flames excited her terror. 





Miss Church-Member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim. 




THEIR MEETING. 


33 


Mr. World replied, with a look of surprise: 
“Have you never heard that these are to give light 
to pilgrims, such as we ? Without them the way 
would prove very dark and dreary. ” 

“What a contrast, ’’ she exclaimed, “between 
these lights and those that illumine the King’s 
Highway ! They shine from above, with increas- 
ing splendor, while these cast forth, from below, 
their uncertain lights. It seems to me that the 
farther we go the darker becomes the way, and 
its lights the more inconstant, — so fitful is their 
gruesome glare. ” 

“Ah! I see what ails you,” responded Mr. 
World. “Your eyes are at fault. We will pres- 
ently meet the expert who wiU correct your 
vision ere your eyes are totally ruined. ” 

The attention of Miss Church-Member was 
suddenly attracted by seeing a man who was just 
sinking out of sight into the fire of destruction. 
As soon as he disappeared the fiames burst forth 
in fury through the newly-made opening. In- 
stantly a servant of Satan covered the breach so 
that observers could no longer hear the wails of 
the poor man, nor smell the fumes from the 
burning strata. 

Then did I look and, behold, I saw such 
places in countless variety, each attended by a 
servant of the Black Prince. Bach opening made 
by an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so 


34 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


that others, in passing along, would the more 
readily be ensnared in one of these fatal fissures. 

Miss Church-Member was more than alarm- 
ed at these sad endings of human life which now 
came to her attention more vividly than when she 
traveled on the King’s Highway. 

She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman 
sinking in utter despair, and ran to rescue her. 
But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched 
ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member 
could give assistance. 

“Help! help! I sink I know not whither,” 
was her wailing cry, as she was passing out of 
sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly to- 
ward her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to 
see the first greedy flames that issued from the 
fresh opening. 

“Oh, horror!” shrieked Miss Church-Mem- 
ber as she turned toward Mr. World. “That 
ought to be enough to keep any one from such 
a snare of wickedness and vice. ” 

Without a moment’s delay a demon rushed to 
the fiery o];)ening and covered it from sight, com- 
pleting his work so quickly and with such skill 
that neither the opening nor the glare of the 
flames were any longer perceptible. But Miss 
Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and 
with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a 


THEIR MEETING. 


3r> 

sign of warning so that other short-sighted mor- 
tals who came that way might read and heed. 

“It would be only a waste of time and energy. 
I have seen hundreds of such places where 
travelers have gone down, even under the sign of 
the Cross.’' 

“Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I 
should stand here continually and speak words of 
personal warning to any one who might seem 
determined to walk in such a terrible path as 
this. ” Her finger pointed to the spot where she 
had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more. 

“Look yonder,” he hurriedly spoke, as he 
touched her arm. “Do you see that woman with 
her steps in the same direction? Now try your 
skill,” he added with more sneer than sympathy 
in his voice. 

She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but 
quickly went to the woman and asked her to 
pause a moment. 

“Are you willing to be saved from destruc- 
tion?” earnestly asked Miss Church- Member. 

“I am safe enough,” was the indifferent re- 

ply- 

“You are now walking rapidly toward an aw- 
ful death, ” were her further words of warning. 

“What right have you to judge me,” she 
curtly replied, “since you also are on this Broad 
Highway ? Have I not heard already the word^ 


3Q MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

of warning from those who also wear the pil- 
grim’s robe, but who journeyed on the King’s 
Highway? Their words brought conviction to 
my heart and tears to my eyes, but your words 
only stir up my indignation.” 

“Why speak so unkindly to a friend? My 
only intention is to do you good. I just saw one 
who came to a horrible end by continuing a little 
farther in the same course that you are now pur- 
suing.” 

Then did the wicked woman fly into a rage. 
“You need no more concern yourself about me. I 
have two eyes — as many as you have. Look to 
your own future, not mine ; at your own steps^ 
and not at another’s !” 

“Come,” impatiently spoke Mr. World, as he 
drew her by the arm, “it is just as I expected ; 
let us get away from this sickly atmosphere.”^ 
But Miss Church-Member lingered only to see 
the heedless woman step to the last extreme and 
sink hopelessly, while her piteous cries for help 
came too late for any to rescue her. 


CHAPTER II. 


The By-Path. 


1. In their journey Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member come to the By-Path leading to the King’s High- 
way ; on this Miss Church-Member urges Mr. World to 
travel. He defers so decisive a step and defends his atti- 
tude by the use of sophistry. 

2. Miss Church-Member, still hoping to win Mr. 
World to a better path, still forsakes the King’s High- 
way and continues in his company. 

3. A tilt with Blackana who defends Miss Church- 
Member for traveling on the Broad Highway. 


highway of the world was so broad that 
^ I one could walk thereon as loosely as he 
wished without fear of stepping from it. 

Along the way there were so many things 
to attract the attention that the farther Miss 
Church-Member journeyed with Mr. World, the 
less frequently she looked toward the King’s 
Highway. However, her face brightened and 
her hopes waxed strong as they suddenly came 
to a place where two ways met. 

With quick insight Miss Church-Member 
saw that the By-Path was a blessed one and that 
it led directly to the King’s Highway. 

“Let us follow this shining path,” she hope- 
fully suggested. “I know it leads to the way of 
lightandglory.” j j » i • 


38 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Not such a path, my friend, ” hastily replied 
Mr. World. “Do you not see the terrible hill to 
which it leads, and those who are even now 
struggling to climb its arduous heights ?” 

“I clearly see it all,” she calmly admitted, 
“but they who struggle most are endeavoring to 
carry many idols with them. If one will forsake 
his idols, he can, with ease and pleasure, mount 
to the shining summit which is but the edge of 
the King’s glorious Highway. Come, Mr. World, 
hesitate no more. Let procrastination end, and 
go with me even to the hiU, and I wiU help you to 
the summit — while Another wiU help you more. ” 

“Very true, very true,” he said, though 
somewhat irritated, “but we have not yet come 
to the place where I may wisely foUow your 
advice. This path turning away to the right 
leads t^ a place that may seem bright from this 
point, but nevertheless I kn«w it to be a narrow, 
rugged way, whereon a few of your friends are 
trudging, eking out a miserable existence. Urge 
me not to go thither. If you leave me, I can 
neither accompany you nor give you my assist- 
ance. Surely you have learned, ere this, that 
your needs are of such a nature that you must 
inevitably suffer embarrassment without my little 
help.” 

Miss Church-Member, with eyes but partly 
open to her own foUy, was grievously perplexed 


Let us follow this shining path,” hopefully urged Miss Church-Member. But it is too 

rough and steep for Mr. World. 



6 5 H/G 






THE BY-PATH. 


30 


and not a little disappointed. She fell on her 
knees and wept. Looking up pleadingly into 
his eyes, she faltered : 

“Twice have I yielded to you since we 
entered into companionship. You well remem- 
ber the solemn promise you made, but at each 
time you deferred its fulfillment, and now I must 
again hear your vain excuses. I have suffered 
much for your sake, and have now the enmity of 
many a former friend, and even my pilgrim robe 
is becoming stained with the filth of this way. ” 
“Come, come, my friend, be a woman and not 
a sickly suppliant. The portion of the King’s 
Highway which we would reach from this point 
is too rough for my feet to travel. We will 
shortly come to a more convenient place ; then I 
can think more seriously of leaving this way. ” 
“Ah!” sighed Miss Church-Member, “you 
say that in your folly. I can testify, from knowl- 
edge, that the way is most delightful and leads to 
mansions incorruptible in the Celestial City. ” 
“Let us cease debating,” interrupted Mr. 
World, with ill-concealed impatience. “If you 
have sacrificed so much through my fellowship 
and imagine that you can find better company, 
you may leave, but you cannot expect me to 
accompany you on so thorny and rough a path as 
this which you have so foolishly proposed. ” 

Strengthened by the remnants of Christian 


40 MK. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

virtue yet within her, she sprang to her feet and 
was about to execute her noble purpose of leav- 
ing him. But a number of Mr. World’s friends 
quickly rallied and complimented Miss Church- 
Member on the good she had already done. “Mr. 
World is a better man since he has known you, ” 
^aid one. “If you will continue walking with him 
on his own level, no one can estimate the amount 
of good you will yet do for him, ” hopefully spoke 
another. 

These unexpected testimonies aroused anew 
her missionary spirit and changed her thoughts 
to these yielding sentences : 

“No sacrifice is too great, ' if victory but 
comes at last. If there is hope that Mr. World 
wiU cease deceiving me and walk in the path of 
truth, I wiU consent to be his companion still a 
little farther. ” 

“There is every hope of that,” smiUngly 
returned Mr. World as he suavely bowed to her 
and to the little group of companions who had 
given him such timely help. 

As I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Mem- 
ber moving on, in closer fellowship than ever, I 
waxed warm with indignation, and addressed 
Blackana who was still lying at my side as 
motionless as the strata of the rock-ribbed 
earth : 

• ‘ “Will you explain to me this folly of Miss 


THE BY-PATH. 


S9 

Church-Member, who has not only disgraced her 
cause before the fiendish Mr. World, but who 
also continues with him in such unseemly 
intimacy?” 

“Miss Church-Member is not walking in 
folly. She is engaged in a noble work, endeavor- 
ing to elevate Mr. World to a higher Christian 
life,” was the answer from the lips of Blackana 
in a low, heavy voice. 

“Ah,” said I, with a feeling of suspicion, 
“she is shining from the wrong lighthouse. The 
rays of truth will never reach him as long as she 
is in that position. 

“Perhaps they might in a miraculous way,” 
suggested Blackana. 

“No good miracle is ever done in the steps of 
the Devil or in his dominions, ” I answered with 
boldness. 

Then did Blackana enlarge himself, and as 
he replied he looked down upon me significantly. 
“O puny mortal, instruct me not in the miracles 
of my master. More great things are done 
under the canopies of Hell than mortals ever 
know. ” 

At first I was filled with alarm, but under 
the voice of One invisible I rose as with superhu- 
man strength, and I looked at him unflinchingly. 
“O horrible creature ! I fear you not in any of 
your passions. You would even destroy me if 


40 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


you could, but you are forever restrained by the 
Power that holds authority over all !” 

There was a sudden rustling, unlike any- 
thing I had ever heard. The uncanny creature 
dashed toward me in his awful fury. But I 
moved not, neither was I touched. Then I 
stretched forth my hand and commanded him, in 
the name of One who is supreme, to cease his 
foolish ragings, else would he be instantly flung 
through the wastes of HeU. 

Blackana, knowing his hmit, as all foul fiends 
do, dared to venture no further in his rage, but 
calmed himself and, with unexpected civility, he 
addressed me. He told me, in close detail, how 
Mr. World, by his binding promises to his 
companion, had played the part of folly rather 
than Miss Church- Member who did nothing 
more than enter upon a more convenient and a 
Broader Way to heaven, and that, too, in good 
company. 

“And what think you, — will Mr. World ever 
fulfill his binding promises 

“Do not doubt it, sir. Mr. World is an honor- 
able gentleman. His promises are always ful- 
filled. 

“A he ! A he ! Can you not speak the truth ?“ 

Again he was about to rise into terrible pro- 
portions when a great hand moved the door on its 
hinges. Blackana, interpreting that movement 
better than I, continued in dread restraint. 


THE BY-PATH. 


41 


I looked again upon the Broad Highway, and 
saw how Mr. World had so completely won the 
confidence of Miss Church-Member that she now 
frequently expressed her sense of obhgation to 
him, and declared that he was not so mean a fel- 
low as some alleged, and as she had been inclined! 
to beheve. 

“Pray, tell me who seeks to injure my good 
reputation ?** he courteously asked. 

“It has long been current talk on the 
King’s Highway that you are deceitful and 
treacherous, and that you aim to lead people to 
ruin. You weU know that I hoped, by mutual 
association, to win you to a better path. I find, 
even after some painful errors on my part, that 
you are not so much in need of reformation as I 
imagined. You are a very considerate and clever 
feUow, doubtless under the sway of a moral evolu- 
tion, and whether I stay with you, or you go 
with me, it is now, to my mind, quite evident 
that you will soon reach a perfect condition. ” 

The wily Mr. World chuckled. “You are 
newly endowed with the gift of a wisdom whose 
inward glory has lent its brightness to your eye, 
and has given savor to your very words. If you 
continue in your present state of liberality and 
broad-mindedness, you wiU not only share all 
that I possess, but will wear a crown set with 
gems of truth. ” 


CHAPTER III. 


The DeviPs Optical College. 

■j 

1. The college described. 

2. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member have their 
eyes examined, and Miss Church-Member is supplied with 
lenses which warp her spiritual vision. 

3. The allegory shows how Satan supplies every 
conceivable kind of lenses to suit the people of the world 
and the church. 

4. Blackana, with deceptive words, attempts to 
defend Satan’s course. 

institution of Satan has been in opera- 
tion since the creation of man, having 
been remodeled as often as advancement 
in style or skill demanded. 

Each one of the fourteen massive buildings 
was a gem of architectural beauty, and was 
devoted to a special line of study or practice. 
The entire group worked harmoniously toward 
the same end. 

In the course of their journey Mr. World and 
Miss Church-Member drew nigh to this great 
■college, but the shrewd and wicked Mr. World 
, remained silent, waiting for the first words of his 
companion. 


42 


THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE. 43 

Miss Church-Member, however, as she looked 
upon the stupendous edifices, was so filled 
with wonder and admiration at the long stretches 
of masonry, and the perfect symmetry of parts, 
that she offered no comment until they were 
quite near the first building. 

“For what purpose is this group of great 
structures used ?” were her words that broke the 
brief silence. 

“All for the sake of the eyes, ” he carelessly 
answered, as he called her attention to the King’s 
Highway and the throngs of people that were 
admiring and entering the college from those 
parts. 

“It is indeed wonderful,” she commented, 
“that so small a thing as the eye should demand 
the service of such great edifices. ” 

“The buddings are not too large nor too weU 
equipped. Your surprise would not be so great 
were you to witness the large number from the 
two great highways that come here daily for 
treatment. You can see them now moving by 
thousands to and from the buildings. It might 
be wise for us to enter for consultation. My 
eyes, at least, may need some expert attention. ” 

She, being anxious to see the interior of at 
least one of the buildings, offered no objection to 
his shrewd suggestion. 

The building was so easy of access that there 


44 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


was not one step to climb. An electric elevator 
served to carry them to the sixty-fourth floor 
which formed a part of the huge dome into which 
the upper portion of the great structure con- 
verged. This style of architecture not only added 
to the beauty of the appearance, but also proved 
to be perfectly adapted to the uses of the college. 

The confidence of Miss Church- Member was 
fully won by the appearance of the interior and 
the courteous attention she received from the 
managers. 

The consulting physician examined the eyes 
of Mr. World, then congratulated him upon the 
clear vision he enjoyed, and informed him that his 
eyes required no immediate treatment. 

Turning to one side, Mr. World whispered to 
his companion: “While we are here you had bet- 
ter improve this opportunity and also get the 
benefit of an expert opinion. ” 

“I have not come prepared financially,” she 
blushingly and faintly replied. “I did not even 
dream of seeking the service of a speciahst. ” 

“That obstacle is easily overcome, for the ex- 
amination is free, and if you should need further 
attention and would wish to receive it, I would 
deem it only a great pleasure to bear all the ex- 
penses.” 

After a brief, thoughtful silence she con- 
sented to the prehminary examination. 


THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE, 45 

“Will you examine the eyes of my friend?” 
requested Mr. World as he stepped toward the 
chief oculist. 

The expert accordingly tested her sight. 
First he held up, at a distance, the “Delusion of 
the New Jerusalem, ” but she was totally blind to 
it. Then he submitted the “Deceptions of the 
Holy Bible” of which she could again see nothing. 

“Look through these windows to the Broad 
Highway, far out into the distance over rolling 
stretches of country. Can you see the gates of 
Heaven, at the end of the way ?” 

Miss Church- Member looked carefully, but 
declared that she could not see anything that ap- 
peared like Heaven or the gates thereof. 

“Can you see that place called ‘Perfect Peace’ 
along the Broad Highway, ” continued the oculist 
as he pointed to a far-off region. 

“I can see nothing that looks like it,” she 
honestly confessed, quite surprised to discover 
the existence of these apparent defects of her 
vision. 

“A very sad and extreme case,” murmured 
the examiner as he requested her to open her 
Bible. 

“Can you see, in that book, that all people 
shall be saved, and none perish ?” 

“I am surely blind to that and always hare 


46 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEIMBER. 

beenj” she readily admitted with a little more 
boldness. 

“Perhaps you can see the justice of God in 
punishing the sinner ?’’ he continued with a touch 
of sarcasm in his voice. 

“Plainly visible. ” 

“So I expected. ” 

He then proceeded to a more minute exami- 
nation, after which he wrote a brief diagnosis 
and commended her to a specialist in the next 
building. 

She hesitated somewhat; but Mr. World, 
handing her, confidentially, a handsome sum of 
yellow coin from his bag of gold, brought words 
of deep thankfulness from her hps, and gave 
decision to her steps in the direction he desired. 

Prom the great dome they were taken in a 
closed car over the high suspension bridge to the 
adjoining building which was of still greater 
magnitude. 

The room into which they entered, at such a 
dizzy height, surpassed, in its unique arrange- 
ment, anything of the kind that they had thus far 
seen. In long and high glass cases lay all the 
modern apphances used by the most skillful 
hands. The furnishings blended liarmoniously 
with the general environments. AU this won the 
utter confidence of the new and unsuspecting 
visitor. 


THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE. 4^ 

‘*With pleasure, ’’ politely began Mr. World, 
‘*1 present my friend, Miss Ghurch-Member, who 
comes hither with defective eyes and a duly sub- 
scribed diagnosis from the chief of the ocuhsts. ” 

The specialist whom he thus addressed made 
an additional examination, plying his craft with 
all the ingenuity he had learned from his master. 
At the conclusion he delivered himself in this 
wise: 

“I find, Miss Church-Member, that your eyes 
are very much out of order. A complex case, 
indeed. I have discovered ametropia in the 
particular form of irregular astigmatism. The 
pupil, covered by the unabsorbed remains of 
the pupillary membrane, is occluded by a deposi- 
tion of inflammatory substance, occasioned by 
inflammation of the ciliary body. 

‘T have also noticed a severe type of hemia- 
nopsia, which, I presume, had its origin in 
congeniture. Minor defects are also apparent, 
but it is unnecessary for me to give further 
details.” 

Miss Church-Member could not refrain from 
weeping bitterly at this sad announcement. “Is 
it iK)ssible to effect a cure ?” she sobbed. 

“Ah! you need not thus lament,” said the 
specialist in a tone of sympathy. “Millions have 
been altogether cured whose eyes were more 
diseased than are yours. Forget your tears and 


48 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

be at perfect peace. Calmly confide in our skill, 

She consented to their method, and was first 
subjected to a course of preliminary treatment. 
Many an hour she lay while her eyes were 
covered with cloths saturated with strange 
liquids. And when her eyes were uncovered she 
was compelled to sit in darkness, for the physi- 
cian told her that her eyes had already suffered 
much on account of light. At times the pain was 
well nigh intolerable, but she endured it all 
heroically, hoping to gain thereby the boon of a 
complete cure. 

After this preparatory work one who was 
skilled in the best methods of the age performed 
the operation, and Miss Church-Member was 
comforted by the assurance that her eyes would 
be fitted with special lenses, and soon she could 
again behold the natural light of day. 

Mr. World was busily engaged during the 
treatment of Miss Church-Member, but he came 
repeatedly to her side and spoke words of cheer 
and urged her strict obedience to all directions. 

Finally her new lenses were put to service, 
and Mr. World proffered his compliments pro- 
fusely until the first impulses of vanity moved 
within her. To he admired^ on account of her 
appearance, seemed never so attractive as now ! 

What a new world opened to her view ! She 
looked down upon the Broad Highway with a 


THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE, 49 

degree of pleasure hitherto unsuspected, and 
also upon the King^s Highway, but only to see 
that the path was indeed a rough one and beset 
with trials and difficulties which, to her mind, 
now seemed unnecessary to a Christian life. 

In the same manner I looked into all 'the 
apartments of each building, and was astonished 
at the presence of so large a number from the 
King’s Highway, and a still greater throng from 
the way of the world. 

“O Blackana !” I cried, “how long wiU this 
continue ? Is there no end to deception ? With 
such a changed view of things, how can Miss 
Church-Member crave for the King’s Highway 
or urge Mr. World thither ?” 

“Miss Church-Member wiU be happier where 
she is, ” answered my uncanny companion as he 
grinned horribly. “By the aid of her glasses she 
can both see and enjoy the wonderful scenes 
along the way. ” 

I knew that Blackana was covering the truth, 
but hesitated to insinuate as much. “Can you 
explain,” I questioned in a half hopeful mood, 
“how those specialists can do their deceptive work 
so brazenly? Poor Miss Church-Member, deluded 
and defrauded, now stumbles rapidly onward 
with the fiendish Mr. World. TeU me, O agent 
of the Devil, do those creatures find delight in 
such horrible deeds ?” 


CO MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“It is not a matter of pleasure or delight 
with them, but rather one of loyalty to their king, 
whom you call ‘Devil.’ To serve him poorly 
means a more bitter heU, but to serve him 
well brings honor from his hand. ” 

“But such honor!” I exclaimed, and then 
said: “I observe that Miss Church-Member 
wears colored lenses — tell me the meaning of 
this; and you, Blackana, hereafter deal no more 
in falsehood with me !” I demanded. 

Blackana shifted his position, ^and with 
marked reluctance proceeded to answer: 

“The Devil, my master, uses in his work all 
imaginable kinds of glasses, invented in the 
Wizard City. Every conceivable shade of color 
is made, each for its particular use. Through 
his agents Satan selects the lens for the patient’s 
eye, and if it is worn as selected and directed, he 
has won a decisive victory. ” 

“Foul and fiendish plots of Hell,” I involun- 
tarily muttered; but Blackana listened in silence. 


CHAPTER IV. 


Satan Interpreting Scripture. 


1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member now take 
an easier method of traveling, for they ride on a strange 
vehicle down the gravity road. 

2. Miss Church-Member reads her Bible by the aid 
of her new glasses. 

3. She is assisted in understanding it by a minion 
of Satan who comes robed as an angel of light. 

4. Her glasses enable her to distinguish between the 
inspired and the uninspired parts of the Bible; for this 
ability she is highly complimented. 


Broad Highway, after leaving the Op- 
^ I tical College, was especially hard to travel 
Here Mr. World secured a fashionable 
vehicle propelled by some secret force. Into this 
carriage he assisted Miss Church-Member, and 
each was delighted with the smooth descent 
down the gravity road. 

‘‘This is delightful traveling,” she said, as 
she reclined upon the luxurious cushions of the 
conveyance. Aided by her new glasses she 
enjoyed the scenery along the way more than 
ever. 


51 


i2 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 

“I am glad you appreciate it, he smilingly 
returned. “According to my notion, riding is 
indeed preferable to walking. From these ele- 
vated carriages one can witness so much more of 
the world, and can also with more distinctness 
see the King’s Highway with its trudging pil- 
grims seemingly unconscious of this better mode 
of travel. ” 

Miss Church-Member took a mere casual 
glance at the Old Path and her former associates, 
and seemed to feel thankful that she had risen 
from bigotry to a more charitable view of things. 

Her Bible, although closed altogether too 
long, had never been surrendered. But she had 
received strict orders not to read it until her 
eyes were fully adjusted to the new lenses. 

Now, however, she opened it and was reading 
it under the new light, lifting her eyes at close 
intervals so as to miss nothing of beauty or inter- 
est along this way of the world. 

Mr. World observed her careless manner, — 
how she turned from chapter to chapter in brief 
succession and fixed but httle attention on any 
particular portion. 

“I would urge you, ” he kindly advised, “that 
if you feel aught of headache or heartache, 
through excessive reading, to close the book at 
once.” 

She made no reply, but to his surprise was 


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Miss Church-Member was reading the Bible to her companion when there appeared to them an 

interpreter who was like unto an angel of light. 



SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 55 

now deeply engaged in the perusal of the seventh 
chapter of Matthew. 

“I have heard that some parts of that book 
are very interesting, ” he said in his good natured 
way. “Will you not read aloud to me?’’ 

With a return of the old passion for his con- 
version she gladly complied and read the whole 
chapter while they continued gliding smoothly 
along. 

An interesting discussion ensued, during the 
course of which there joined them one who was 
like unto an angel of light. 

Aiter hearing his smooth sentences of gen- 
eral Bible-knowledge, Miss Church-Member ex- 
claimed: “Who art thou, and how didst thou gain 
so great a knowledge of this Book ?” 

“I am but a harmless creature of the air, 
going whither I wilL I have studied that Book 
through all the changes of time and understand 
every part of it. I would, even now, make any 
sentence as clear as light to thee. ” 

“Amd thinkest thou that this part is true?” 
hopefully asked Miss Church-Member as she 
raised the open Bible and pointed to the chapter 
she had just read. 

“Every sentence is true, but in reading it 
there is grave danger of misapprehension. Didst 
thou have difficulty with any particular part of 
the chapter ?” 


56 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 


“With verses thirteen and fourteen/* she 
replied. 

The angelic interpreter then read them in 
a fine resonant voice. 

“ ‘Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is 
the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to 
destruction, and many there be which go in 
hereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow 
is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there 
be that find it. ’ ” 

“If these words are really true,” quickly 
commented Miss Church- Mem her, “we must be 
traveling in the wrong way. Does it not appear 
so?” she queried, as she looked with increasing 
interest at the angelic being. 

“Naturally it does,’* he shrewdly answered, 
“especially if you look merely at the surface of 
the text; but the pearls of truth lie deeper. ” 

“I well know that the King’s Highway is 
called the ‘Narrow Way’ and this, whereon we 
journey, the ‘Broad Way.’ Surely this part of 
Scripture is against us,” insisted Miss Church- 
Member, as her countenance grew more 
troubled. 

“Thou needst not stumble at such easy 
Scripture; behold, the meaning is quite clear ! 
They who travel on the so-called King’s Highway 
are continually exaggerating the Tnerits of the 
way, thereby making it appear greater and 


SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 57 

broader than it really is. They go so far as to 
claim that the way is broad enough to accommo- 
date all the people of the world, were they 
minded to travel thereon. Therefore those who 
thus make the way broad by their own conceits 
will meet with destruction. This is the meaning 
of verse thirteen. ” 

“It is certain, according to verse fourteen, 
that we have a strait gate, and none, on this 
road, imagine or claim that the way is broader 
than it is; so we are credited with having it called 
*narrow, ’ for it is as narrow as we claim it to be. “ 

“Notwithstanding your explanation and the 
relief these glasses have given me, my conscience 
is still troubled, and methinks I hear a voice from 
this Bible chiding me. This is the chief barrier 
to my real happiness, she boldly confessed. 

“Thou shouldst not dwell in fear, “ spoke the 
shining adviser. “Do not allow the errors of any 
false teaching to mar the peace and happiness of 
this way. Bid farewell to aU thy inward doubt- 
ing, and taste the imperishable sweetness of the 
world, turning a deaf ear to the voice that chides 
thee unkindly. ” 

“But the voice comes from my Bible, “ she 
tremblingly declared. 

“Truly said. Miss Church- Member; it comes 
far enough from the Bible. Why not listen to the 
voice that is the Bible. Thou art in harmony 


58 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

with every part of Scripture. Let not false 
voices drive thee on to deeper grief. ” 

She then looked at the shining form with 
more curiosity than ever before. 

“Who can this be?’’ she asked Mr. World in 
a passing whisper. “You have seen how he 
urges me to perfect peace, and so unselfishly. ’’ 
“’Tis but a happy friend that comes in the 
hour of need. Should we not give heed to his 
kindly voice ? If the studying of that Bible gives 
you pain, adding to the weight that already 
wearies your heart, why not close the book and, 
continuing on this way of ease, look more care- 
fully on outward things again ?’’ 

“Think you, Mr. World, that I would lay 
down my Bible ? This is the book that mother 
loved. It has always been my Book of books. It 
contains the code of laws that controls the whole 
spiritual world, and it is the only lamp that leads 
to light and to the gates of Heaven. You need it 
as much as I. Why ask me to lay it down ?” 

“Wa^/, na^,” spoke the angel of light, “urgrc 
her not to discard her Bihle^ hut rather to get a true 
vmderstanding of it Perhaps,” he continued, 
turning again to Miss Church-Member, “thou 
hast met with other mysterious verses in this 
chapter. If so, I wiU gladly serve thee, for I love 
to give light to an honest heart. ” 

“I see nothing more now that gives me 


SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 59 

trouble. These glasses, which I got through the 
kindness of Mr. World, have helped me to under- 
stand your interpretation so that the rest of the 
chapter is quite clear to me. ” 

^'Amd how does the whole Bible appear since 
thy sight is so improved by those fortunate 
lenses ?” 

*Tt certainly appears vastly different,” she 
confessed. “It is so much more liberal in ita 
teachings than I ever before imagined.” 

**Hast thou become so far advanced that thou 
canst^ with thy more comprehensive view, distinguish 
between the inspired and the uninspired parts f ” 
asked the shining one with an air of dignity. 

“Not clearly so, although I have recently 
doubted the genuineness of some parts which 
still hold their place in the book. ” 

“Thou art coming to the true hght,” he 
flatteringly replied. “Blessed is the event that 
ever changed thine eyes to see so great a truth. 
Oh, that all the world might thus drink from the 
fountain of knowledge !” 

“When will the time ever come that the 
Bible wiU be rid of its errors ?” impatiently broke 
in Mr. World. 

“In that happy day when the mists of super- 
stition shall vanish before the true light of 
personal liberty and free thinking,” came the 
answer from the bright-robed angel who was 


^ MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


none else than a minion of the Devil in disguise. 

‘‘How could such a glorious work best be 
•accomplished asked Mr. World whose interest 
now was more intensely aroused. 

“Only by Christians who ought to appoint a 
committee from their own number, — persons hke 
our friend Miss Church-Member. This com- 
mittee could decide, by a majority vote, what 
parts of the Bible to expunge. Then the church 
and the world would have a Bible reasonably free 
from errors. Our present Bible has so many 
objectionable parts which, of course, could not 
have been inspired, and any person who has the 
courage to correct it will be doing the world an 
incalculable service.’* 

“Amen and amen!” enthusiastically spoke 
Mr. World. “The Bible is certainly a great book, 
but it would be vastly improved if once rid of its 
interpolations and errors of translation. Any 
preacher who would use in his pulpit such an 
abridged Bible would have my profoundest 
respect, and I hereby pledge half my fortune to 
the first minister who will do himself the honor 
of taking such a step. ” 

“That will have its desired effect,” smihngly 
commented Miss Church-Member, “for there are 
some gentlemen of the cloth who would quickly 
sacrifice any conviction for such a sum of 
money.” 


SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 


61 


‘And here, added the angel of light, “I hold 
in my hand a crown of fame set with the gems of 
honor. I hereby engage to place a crown like 
this on the head of each minister who will, in 
preaching and teaching, abridge the Bible and 
ridicule its weaknesses. Of course he must not 
cast reflection upon the real Word of God. He 
must only denounce and destroy the errors that 
have crept into it. ’’ 

With these words the bright messenger 
disappeared, and Miss Church-Member en- 
deavored again to know more about his identity, 
but Mr. World did not altogether satisfy her 
curiosity. 

Then, as they sped onward in their weh- 
devised vehicle dowm the gravity road to HeM, 
Miss Church-Member continued reading her 
Bible quietly. 

“How changed the teachings of this book 
appear,” she soliloquized. “I can now see how 
foolish I once was in taking so narrow a view of 
its truths. ” 

I took a passing glance at the King’s High- 
way, and saw a virtuous and holy woman on her 
knees in prayer, with a Bible opened before her. 

She read from the Book, doubting not its 
words, and was pleading earnestly with God for 
a better understanding of them, until flash after 


62 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH- MEMBER. 

flash of heavenly light filled her soul, making 
her face shine with more than human glory. 

To her the Devil, robed as an angel of fight, 
made no appearance so long as I looked. 

Then I asked Blackana, and he told me that 
Satan feared that which was sharper than a two- 
edged sword more than a large number of 
professing Christians not filled with the word of 
God. 

“And what think you of Miss Church- 
Member ?” I continued. 

“She is a fine character,” spoke Blackana 
as a hideous grin spread over his face. 

Then I was moved with indignation, and I 
spoke with fire in my voice: “Give me no more 
deceptive words of Hell ! TeU the naked truth. 
What is the estimate that Satan places on one 
who acts like Miss Church-Member ?” 

Blackana moved not a feature at my changed 
attitude, but spoke calmly within the bounds of 
truth: “Satan considers such a one as a valuable 
ally to his cause, for she is now working against 
Jesus Christ on her imaginary road to Heaven. 
Nothing is more helpful to Satan than when 
members of the church believe that parts of the 
Bible are untrue. It is indeed gratifying to us, ” 
continued Blackana with a fiendish smile, “to see 
the twentieth century of the so-caUed Christian 
era opening with the church wrangling over her 


SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 

Bible more desperately than, ever, and some of 
the learned leaders, and those of lesser light, 
laying the lash on him who believes that the 
regularly revised version of Scripture is of 
sufficient authority and approved of God. ” 

Thus Blackana, in dread reluctant tones, and 
with his tongue still unfriendly to Christ’s cause, 
was continuing, when a voice from above gave 
this startling and silencing testimony. 

^*Such Scripture is an impregnable rock; and 
they^ who by faith stand thereon^ cannot be poisoned 
by the fiery darts which are hurled even by the latest 
invented guns from the Wizard City. All Hell secretly 
acknowledges the strength of this foundationy even 
though part of the church on earth refuses to do as 
much. ” 


CHAPTER V. 


The Devil’s Pawn Shop. 


1. Miss Church-Member with her new glasses looks 
upon her attire and, not being satisfied with her pilgrim’s 
robe, exchanges it for up-to-date apparel. 

2, The similar action of Mr. Deacon and Mr. Elder 
described. 


ISS Church-Member, having closed her 
J I I Bible, was engaged in a close scrutiny 
of her attire. By the aid of her 
glasses she realized very keenly that her 
garments were out of harmony with her environ- 
ments. 

“Will you answer a frank question ?” she 
modestly asked Mr. World. “Do you think my 
pilgrim’s robe becomes me as it should ?“ 

“A very delicate question. I should never 
have ventured a criticism without your invitation 
to do so. Sincerely, your whole attire is some- 
what antiquated. It is just as faulty as the Bible, 
So I would advise you to wear apparel more 
suited to your natural charms. ” 

“But where can such be found?” she blush- 
ingly asked, offering no comment upon Mr. 
World’s aspersion upon the Holy Scriptures. 

“At numberless places along the way. In 



■ j, (<l ‘g- , I'll < • 



A Scene in the Devil’s Pawn Shop. 

Her beautiful pilgrim robe was drawn through the dust and relegated to the rear. 



THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


the distance I see an exchange store, duly 
authorized to do business along this Highway. If 
you so desire, we will proceed thither.’* 

She assented gratefully, and soon the vehicle 
stopped. The two alighted and stepped into the 
place known along the King’s Highway as the 
Devil’s Pawn Shop. 

This establishment was easily accessible 
from either Highway, and had been in operation 
for thousands of years, carrying on an extensive 
business. 

In such a place our parents pawned a 
glorious inheritance for a taste of forbidden fruit, 
and Esau exchanged a legitimate birth* right for a 
mere mess of pottage. 

In another similar place Judas sold his Lord 
and Master for thirty dirty pieces of silver; and 
Ananias and Sapphira pawned their natural and 
spiritual lives for a little' worldly profit which 
was held but for a few hours, and that in guilt 
and pain. 

Satan has a Pawn Shop, or an exchange store, 
for every phase of desire that can enter into an 
unsatisfied heart, or a soul unduly ambitious. 
This one, into which Mr. World escorted ^ Miss 
Church-Member, is intended for those who 
become dissatisfied with the dress of righteous- 
ness, or for any who wish a change in any part of 
their apparel. 


68 Mli. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


It proved intensely interesting to Miss 
Church-Member, with her new-found ambitions, 
to walk through the aisles of this great depart- 
ment store, each department being used for a 
separate kind of apparel. 

The entire Pawn Shop was full of old curiosi- 
ties which had never been redeemed. These, 
and more recent specimens, told the story of 
many a faithless pilgrim. In the footwear 
department I saw many a “preparation of the 
gospel of peace” which had been pawned for 
shoes of worldliness, and elsewhere I saw the 
garments of truth which had been girt about the 
loins of the saints, but which had been exchanged 
for robes of vanity. 

There were also many antiquated pilgrims* 
robes which had been given for more fashionable 
attire. 

Miss Church-Member became more and 
more ashamed of her own robe as she saw how 
many already had effected the exchange which 
she was now contemplating. 

One of the shrewd attendants, observing the 
impatience of Miss Church-Member and the 
significant look of Mr. World, approached her 
and offered to render such assistance as she 
might desire. 

“I am feeling wretchedly out of place and 
out of style in my present condition. Can I not 


THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


69 


be dressed in a way^ more consistent with my 
station ?” 

“We can readily and easily supply all your 
fancies,” answered the attendant with a grace- 
ful bow and a smile which gave re-assurance to 
Miss Church-Member. 

The sad transformation was effected in a 
manner well pleasing to the Prince of Darkness. 
Her beautiful pilgrim’s robe was drawn through 
the dust and relegated to the rear. 

My own heart saddened as I beheld the 
changed appearance of Miss Church-Member, 
who had just taken one more step in her down- 
ward course, and who was still vainly imagining 
that she was on the road to Heaven. 

I saw, with disgust, her fantastically feath- 
ered hat of conceit, her broad sleeves of self- 
righteousness, her ruby bracelets and necklace 
of vanity, her flowing garments of personal 
liberty, and her shoes of fashionable infidelity. 

Then they made a strong effort to induce her 
to pawn her Bible, but to no purpose, for she had 
clung to it so long that it had become a precious 
souvenir with which she declared she would 
never part. Thus I saw how some worship the 
Bible who do not worship God. 

Finally they emerged from the Pawn Shop, 
and glided along in their mysterious carriage 
more rapidly and smoothly than ever. 


70 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

The two happy companions, free from their 
former embarrassment, now enjoyed the scenes 
of life along the way with increasing pleasure. 
The moving masses, in their diversified employ- 
ments, yielded constant entertainment. 

Miss Church-Member was soon agreeably 
surprised to see Mr. Deacon and Mr. Elder, who 
served in the same church to which she belonged. 
The carriage overtook them in a rather isolated 
place and stopped at their side, in obedience to 
the will of Miss Church-Member. 

“Can it possibly be that I meet two of my 
church officers at this unexpected time and 
place? How came it about that you also have 
chosen this ‘Broader and Better Way’ to 
Heaven?” 

The two men were shghtly abashed at first 
and stood speechless as if in doubt what to say, 
or as if they were unable to recognize her. 

“Ho! ho!’ cried Mr. Deacon, “here is Miss 
Church-Member who sits in one of our front 
pews.” 

“Her appearance is wonderfully improved 
however,” added Mr. Elder in an undertone. 

“How came you to adopt tins dress and be in 
such close fellowship with Mr. World?” asked 
Mr. Deacon. 

“I am now in the midst of my missionary 
work, endeavoring to lead Mr. World into church- 


THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


71 


membership,” were her glib words of explana- 
tion, though, somehow, they were unsatisfying 
to her ear ; but she was rapidly learning to stifle 
such unpleasant qualms of conscience. 

“She is doing a grand work, ” said Mr. Dea- 
con to Mr. Elder with gestures of approbation. 

“Are you any better than you were since 
such an elevating influe ace has been thrown 
about you?” asked Mr. Elder, as he turned to 
Mr. World. 

“Happy for me that Miss Church-Member 
ever undertook my case, for I am now nearer 
joining the church than ever before. ” 

The two church-officials offered their hands 
to Mr. World in warm congratulation, and then 
praised Miss Church-Member for her timely 
efforts which they felt sure would terminate in 
his conversion. 

“What more is required of me in order that 
I may join your church ?” inquired Mr. World in 
a voice of deepening earnestness. 

“Nothing more than to express your willing- 
ness,” responded the two. Your morality is 
beyond suspicion, and your fulfillment of the 
duties of citizenship has always been praise- 
worthy ; therefore your religion is quite exem- 
plary. It lacks but your admission into the 
church. ” 

“I would have joined before now had it not 


72 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

been for a radical element potent in the councils 
of the church, and especially for the narrow 
views entertained by your minister. If you had 
another pastor, one of more liberal cast of mind, 
it would not only influence me to join, but many 
of my wealthy and honorable friends would do so 
as well. ” 

“It certainly is a sad state of affairs, ” sighed 
Miss Church-Member. “We are losing heavily 
by reason of such narrowness. I thought differ- 
ently at one time, but these glasses have given 
me a wider and clearer range of vision. ” 

“Your words indicate a sound judgment,” 
commented Mr. World, and the two church offi- 
cials listened eagerly. “Why should the church 
compel a man to journey on a path so narrow that 
he can scarcely make any progress ?” 

“A sensible view of it, ” said Mr. Elder, “for 
I have learned by experience that it is impossible 
to travel far in the way you mention. I tried it 
until recently, when I gave it up in disgust. I 
patronized an old established exchange store, dis- 
posed of a part of my outfit, and got in exchange 
something up-to-date, as yoi see from my appear- 
ance. I then endeavored to walk on the old path, 
but soon came to an especially narrow place 
called Consecration. I could not squeeze through. 
I struggled hard and long until one came to me 
and said: ‘Let go what thou hast under thine 


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Mr. Elder, unable to push through the narrow pass of Consecration, 
was compelled to take the “Shorter and Broader Way to Heaven.” 



THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


76 


arms and belted to thine heart, and thou shalt go 
through with ease and rejoicing. ’ That was ask- 
ing too much of me, for I paid a high price for 
these things and was minded to hold to them at 
all cost. I then endeavored more earnestly to 
push ahead, but found that I could not. As I 
looked around me, in despair, I saw a path lead- 
ing to the left, under a beautiful arch, whereon 
I read this inscription : 

A Shorter and Broader 
Way to Heaven. 

*^his path I took and have been traveling 
comfortably thereon, especially since I found 
this still Broader Way into which it led. If only 
all church-members would know the comforts 
and advantages of this way, they could no longer 
refuse to travel it. ” 

“They are finding it out more and more 
every age,” said Mr. World with a complacent 
smile. “The church and the world ought to be 
one and, according to the teaching of the Bible, 
how could this be better accomplished than by 
having the church come down to the level of the 
world, and from that point lift the world upward. 
That was Christ’s method and example. The 
church of to-day should not wish to be greater 
than her Lord. ” 

The two church-officials looked at each other 
in surprise. 


76 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“Without doubt that is broad-minded the- 
ology/’ first spoke Mr. Deacon. 

“It is indeed refreshing in contrast with 
what we must hear repeatedly from the trouble- 
some element in the church, ” added the other. 

“Will you not tell us how you also came to 
reach this favored place?” inquired Miss Church- 
Member, as she gave her attention momentarily 
to Mr. Deacon. 

“It came about in a very odd manner. I 
had been wearing an old-style robe of righteous- 
ness, and gradually came to see that it was 
totally out of harmony with the higher thought 
of the age ; so much so that I became odious to 
many liberal-minded people. A sharp struggle 
ensued between my conscience and my judg- 
ment. In the midst of this conflict I came to a 
place which offered to accept my old garments in 
exchange for seasonable attire. ‘Anything for 
peace, ’ thought I ; so I entered the estabhshment 
and selected this apparel, and these additional 
advantages. It cost me nothing but the mere 
willingness to exchange, and would I not have 
been foolish to refuse so much at so small a 
price?” 

“Without a doubt, ” quickly answered Miss 
Church-Member. The others forcibly confirmed 
her answer. 

“After I had completed my bargain I con- 


THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


77 


tinned my diligence in the work of the church 
and in traveling on the good old Narrow Way. I 
came to a place called God Praise, and got 
through with little difficulty ; but voices from 
unseen creatures spoke terror to my soul. In 
this unhappiness I trudged along until I came to 
a narrow pass known as Sacrifice. Through it 
I could not go. I struggled again and again. I 
also heard a voice saying unto me : Tf thou wilt 
wear the garments of salvation, and cast off these 
things of earth, then thou mayest pass through 
all thy sacrifice with ease and sweet delight. ’ 

“The voice troubled me much, for I feared it 
spoke the truth. There did I spend a long sea- 
son in mortal dread and doubt, and thought I 
would rather die than suffer thus. Suddenly, as 
if blind to it before, I saw a sign apparently mov- 
ing in circles about me. It settled to my left and 
thus it read : 

To Heaven Without Sacrifice. 

“At once a smooth path opened to view, and 
I chided myself for having been blind to it so 
long. I entered upon it and hastily pursued 
my journey, and soon from thence passed upon 
this Broad Gauge Koad. I traveled hereon 
for a long time when, to my delight, I came 
across Mr. Elder. I assure you we have had 
companionable seasons. We are on our road to 


78 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


Heaven and expect eventually to reach that place. 
Many persons of the Narrow Gauge Road have 
told us that we are wrong, deceived, and would 
be hopelessly lost if we do not change our 
course, but methinks that those people are dis- 
regarding the Bible where it saith, ‘Judge not 
that ye be not judged’ ; and ‘Thou hypocrite, first 
cast out the beam out of thine own eye ; and then 
shalt thou see clearly. ’ ” 

“Ah! Mr. Deacon,” quickly complimented 
Mr. World, “you must be a champion in the use 
of Bible truth. How can these bigots expect to 
stand when such Scripture condemns them ? It 
will be a joyful time for aU of us when these self- 
righteous critics shall have puUed the beams 
out of their eyes and be able to see us in our real 
innocence. ” 

While Mr. World was speaking these words 
he assisted Miss Church-Member into their 
strange vehicle and, when his last sentence was 
ended, they bade a hearty farewell to the two 
acquaintances and smoothly glided on, not tarry- 
ing to hear the words of commendation which 
each church-official was speaking simultane- 
ously. 


CHAPTER VI. 


Satan’s Law Departments. 


{Underground.) 


1. An allegorical representation of Satan’s under- 
handed methods in law and politics. All seen during a 
thrilling journey with Blackana through the under- 
ground regions (level below level) where the laws of Hell 
are hatched. 

2. A realistic climax, — ultimate triumph of right in 
the civil realm. 


^ NOW saw two mountains so high that their 
Oy shadows perpetually darkened the Broad 
Highway which covered the wide vaUey 
between them. 

In this Shadowy Vale many held permanent 
residence, until the whole region swarmed with 
teeming milhons of every tongue and tribe on 
the face of the globe. 

At the base of the mountains, on each side of 
the way, there were numerous large openings 
through which imps of darkness were constantly 
passing. Most of them were habited as angels 
of light. 

“TeU me the mystery of those dismal open- 
ings, ” I asked as I turned to Blackana. 

79 


80 MR, WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“Words are inadequate to tell of the places to 
which they lead. To know aright one must see, ” 
he answered with marked indifference. 

For a moment I silently looked upon Black- 
ana whose evasive answer had so greatly aroused 
my curiosity. 

“Beyond those ominous portals I can discern 
nothing,’’ I murmured. “How can I be privi- 
leged to see what is there hidden ?” 

“Come with me, ” coldly invited Blackana, “I 
will guide you to the nethermost realms now un- 
seen by you. This I do not willingly, but I am 
thus commanded.” 

Not wishing to receive my orders from 
the mouth of a demon, I talked to my better 
Friend who bade me go and be assured that a 
body -guard of ten thousand would ever be at my side^ 
though I saw them not. 

On wings, swifter than the wind, Blackana 
and I covered the intervening space. We stood 
in the dark valley at one of the openings, now 
appearing ten-fold larger than before, and the 
mountains reared their imposing crests as if to 
an endless height. 

“Follow me,” grimly spoke Blackana as he 
advanced through the monstrous arcade into the 
deepening darkness. 

I remembered the ten thousand, and feared 
not as I followed. 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 81 

Downward and inward we went, with no 
light but a horrid glare casting its uncertain rays 
athwart our path. 

“Is this the passage-way to Destruction I 
cried, as I saw how spectral all things were, for 
more than a thousand grimy faces had already 
added their fitful glances to the ghmmering 
scene. 

“The passage-way to HeU is not so smooth ; 
we go to a better place, ” he answered, without so 
much as turning his head. 

We finally stopped at a line of massive eleva- 
tors, ever in busy motion, carrying the throngs 
upward or downward. 

As we paused, Blackana regarded me 
silently. I was then able, for the first time, to 
see his face clearly. No light reveals the coun- 
tenance of a demon so well as the light of his 
own region. 

I stood as if paralyzed under his awful eyes. 
Oh ! thought I, can two orbs picture such infinite 
depth of remorse ; such absence of tenderness ; 
such barrenness of sympathy, far beyond the 
most care-worn look of earth ? Then, pervading 
aU these lineaments of despair were the positive, 
characteristics of his nature — malice, envy, and 
hatred. These lent their repulsive fires to his 
eye, already overcharged with insidious gloam- 
ings. 


82 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

I suddenly thought of my ten thousand, and 
my fears subsided. 

“It were better for you to remain a stranger 
to the greater depth and go no farther,” were 
the words that finally came from Blackana’s 
scarcely moving hps. 

“Fulfill your mission, Blackana! I fear not 
the deepest depth when I am thus equipped. ” 

“Where is your sword and where is your 
armor ?” he tauntingly asked. 

“My steel is hid until I find a foe worthy of 
its mettle.” 

Blackana quivered and resumed his task. 
He told me that above us, deep in the bowels of 
these mountains, were the more refined legisla- 
tive halls of Satan ; while below us, at varying 
and terrible depths, lay scattered many a brood- 
ing station where the lowest laws of Hell are 
hatched. 

“Let us go downward, ” I said, and scarcely 
had the words escaped my lips ere Blackana had 
ushered me into an elevator, holding me as we 
dropped down and down with increasing velocity, 
while a cold chiU was freezing my heart, and my 
body playing the part of an aspen leaf. 

Never before had I been touched by so 
dreadful a hand, but I thought again of the 
ten thousand, and that lent warmth to my heart 
and calmness to my nerves. 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


83 


“To what great depth are we falling ?“ I soon 
ventured to ask, as I perceived that we were 
dashing downward at terrific speed. 

“We fall to no great depth ; we go only a 
thousand furlongs to reach the first grand level, 
not stopping at these lesser places of which you 
get a glimpse in passing. ” 

“A thousand furlongs,” I repeated, “down 
into the earth ! Who ever heard of such a 
descent before ?” But I still thought of my ten 
thousand, even though I could not conceive how 
they could follow me in such places. 

“At what rate do we now travel?” I 
nervously asked, for I felt the hand of Blackana 
still pressing me down lest the great elevator 
would fall faster than my body. 

“According to earthly reckoning we are 
falling twenty furlongs a second and our speed 
is still increasing with the descent,” was the 
startling answer 

I spoke no more, but found myself clutching 
the raised bars of the fioor. I saw the glimmer- 
ing light of many a region as we darted by at our 
hghtning speed. 

In an incredibly short time we reached the 
first grand level. Blackana led me forth from 
the elevator into an immense cavern whose 
dimensions were apparently as limitless as the 
space between the earth and sky. It was iUumi- 


84 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

nated by infernal lights and all astir with moving 
thousands in fabled dress and shape. 

Never before had I imagined or beheld such 
a scene. Pure gold was as plentiful as the water 
of the earth, and was abundantly used in the con- 
struction of vast halls whose overarching vaults 
were encrusted with priceless gems that dazzled 
like jets of crystallized light. 

“What weird world is this ?” I asked in an 
awed tone. 

“This is one of my master’s legislative cen- 
ters, devoted to each separate government on 
earth. The many legislators of this whole region 
are ever busily engaged in determining upon 
their policy and methods of operation, and in 
endeavoring to influence the law-making body of 
each government to create and modify laws in 
harmony with the underground legislation here 
enacted.” 

“Ah !” said I, “but this place is far from the 
surface where man dwells. How can there be 
such close connection ?” 

Blackana smiled as he made a wonderful 
revelation to me. “This strange empire is in 
close touch with the whole human family, for 
there are thousands of wires leading from this 
dark realm to each government centre of earth. 
Satan thus communicates his wishes to each law- 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


85 


maker, of every land, who will lend a listening 
ear to his schemes. ” 

Blackana then conducted me to an immense 
building divided into many sections. “Here is 
the electric centre of this level, ” he said. 

As I gazed I learned the secret of Satan s 
power in law. Thousands were here engaged in 
conversing with legislators on earth. 

I could understand no word of all these com- 
munications, for the section where I stood was 
devoted to Asiatic countries and the islands of 
the Pacific Ocean. 

“Take me, O Blackana, to the section con- 
necting with the Western world that I may see 
the very wires that run to the United States of 
America.” 

I soon stood in the interior of another large 
building, and with great interest listened to the 
operators communicating with some who were in 
authority at Washington, and with persons else- 
where who were interested in the formulation of 
laws for the whole country. 

“Does this never cease ?” I questioned. 

“It continues through the days and nights of 
earth forever, ” came the reply. 

I was looking at the intricate system of wires 
and the stupendous proportions of the place, 
when suddenly I heard some one mention a name 
with which I was famihar. I was attracted close 


86 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

to the side of the operator that I might hear at 
least the one side of the conversation. 

“That bill should never become a law,” said 
the operator, but I could not hear the reply. 

“Fight hard to defeat it. You will get heaps 
of gold if you succeed, ” were the next words I 
heard at the lower ’phone. 

“Never mind them. I’ll take care of that 
crowd. I will try once more to get their ear. I 
failed the last time, but I hope to succeed at my 
next endeavor. ” These words were spoken very 
plainly, but still I could hear no reply. 

“Suppose the other element has chances to 
win. Get ready at once and meet the situation. 
Go and speak to the chairman of the committee 
and early influence his mind in our favor. Offer 
any bribe you wish, for we have unlimited re- 
sources at our command. ” 

“If only I could hear the answer, ” thought I. 

Then the operator listened a long time, and I 
almost envied his privilege, wishing that I might 
also hear the human voice from the earth’s 
surface. 

Blackana conducted me to other parts of the 
building, and I saw the fiendish program carried 
out at each point. Thousands of demons were in 
league with the law-makers of the world ! 

“Oh ! that I could cut these wires and 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


87 


restrict Satan’s laws to these underground 
dominions, ” I said with rising boldness. 

“Silence, puny mortal ! Know you not that 
others can hear you speak ? Would you here be 
crushed to death so far from the light of day ?” 

Superhuman strength moved me to answer 
thus : “Though all these hosts should hear me, 
I fear nothing. I am invincible, and should you 
take me to the deepest depths, amidst foul crawl- 
ing imps, not one can harm me. Neither can you, 
Blackana. 

“Come on, ” he sneered, “cease your sense- 
less sentences and follow me. ” 

I saw that Blackana endeavored to conceal 
the counter-currents of his heart, but neverthe- 
less his agitation did not escape my notice. 

Back to the elevators we went, and with a 
throng of evil spirits we entered the central car 
and fell another thousand furlongs into the depth 
of the earth. 

We stopped at the second grand level into 
which I was ushered. I looked out over what 
seemed to be a new world with more hght and 
more animation than was manifest on the first 
level. 

Boisterous demonstrations were heard on 
every hand, all made more hideous by the variety 
of evil spirits who added their din to the general 
bedlam. 


as MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

, “What furious world is this ?” I shouted. 

“This is Satan’s political headquarters, and 
the place where his state laws are made. We are 
here connected with every state or divisional 
government in the world, and with every political 
movement that can be influenced by these under- 
ground voices. ” 

My indignation leaped over all bounds as the 
vileness of these iniquitous schemes pressed 
upon me. I heard the bands of music from those 
who had prostituted their talent to the second 
level. 

Blackana pushed me on through all the 
demonstrations, and then led me into a great 
structure more secluded than the electrical sta- 
tions. Here the state laws are hatched, but, 
thanks to a higher sanctum, not all the brood see 
daylight. 

The plotters of Hell sat in this underground 
legislative centre, and I saw, to my horror, some 
state legislators occupying seats in this infamous 
quarter. 

Then said I to Blackana: “It is no more a 
mystery to me how so much of Hell is incor- 
porated into the laws of the states in the country 
where I hold residence, as' well as in all other 
parts of the world. How long have these things 
been?” 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


“Since the beginning of law,” was his indif- 
ferent reply. 

“It will not be so forever,” I prophesied 
under a sudden spell of inspiration. “The time 
must come when the power of this level will be 
blasted forever. The owner of the tree will 
burn the Worms and their nests from every 
branch.” 

Then said Blackana tauntingly: “Neither 
flood, poison, fire, nor knife can ever destroy this 
section.” Just as he spoke these words the 
whole edifice shook, and I heard a noise as if a 
shower of great stones had crashed into the roof 
and sides of the building. The legislators 
quaked with fear and all looked toward the ceil- 
ing. All of this instantly reminded me of the 
thousand lords who looked at the ominous hand- 
writing on the wall at the feast of Belshazzar. 

“Explain it to me,” I asked as I looked 
wonderingly at Blackana. 

“Urge it not, urge it not ! Be content to 
dwell in ignorance !” 

“I am here to learn, and I would know what 
force or power can so well-nigh destroy this 
wretched center. TeU me the truth. I demand 
it.” 

Then did Blackana move himself in his start- 
ling attitudes, as if loath to speak. He rolled his 


90 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


heavy eyes as his discordant voice yielded the 
unwilling explanation. 

“These are the votes that just fell in favor of 
reform in a campaign on earth. Such votes, 
under the panoply of prayer, strike more terror 
to these kingdoms than all else combined, and the 
most disastrous feature is that they go bounding 
from the buildings of this level ever downward 
and work their ruin from kingdom to kingdom, 
until they have wrought their havoc even to the 
lowest level. If we only knew the way to break 
the power of these votes, our comrades would 
not then dwell in constant dread of what might 
happen.” 

“May you never learn that power, and may 
the votes of good citizenship ever increase in 
number until these legislative haUs shall be 
broken to rise no more, and their inmates driven 
from their secret machinations to the abode 
prepared for the Devil and his angels.” 

Blackana sprang at me in great rage. 

“Silence, you contemptible mortal! You 
have not such liberty of speech here ! Why fling 
insults into the face of one more powerful than 
yourself?” 

“Hb, ye ten thousand 1^^ I shouted with aU 
my power, and Blackana fell backward at my 
evry words. 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


91 


Sullen, but cowed, he arose to his feet and 
took me to the elevators. 

“Where next?” he gruffly asked. 

“What is on the next level below?” I in- 
quired. 

“Greater proceedings than on this one. It 
is devoted to the government of counties, cities, 
boroughs, and villages, and their pohtical work.” 

“Pass it by and take me to the lowest level.” 

“You do not know what you ask. The lowest 
level is very, very deep, and takes us where 
things have no weight. It is the lowest haunt 
outside of Hell, inhabited by the vilest imps. 
How can you live or move in such a realm ?” 

“Not by the futile force of human power, but 
by the strength of Him who bids me go. I fear 
not, O Blackana ; conduct me thither. ” 

What an awful experience followed ! I was 
taken down at an amazing speed, held under the 
great hand of Blackana. We passed region after 
region of infernal lights, each one existing for 
the purpose of carrying out its part of Satan’s 
fiendish plan. 

At length we stopped in the red glare of an 
awful burning amidst a company of hobgobhns 
out of harmony with all human shape or sym- 
metry. 

“This must be the bed of HeU, indeed,” I 
said, after I had conquered my rising fears. 


92 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Far from it, far from it !*’ answered Black- 
ana. “We are now in the lowest legislative 
center where foul fiends invent the horrible laws of 
perscmal pollution in the mortal body, and political 
bribery in the civil body.'' 

Blackana held me by the hand. I seemed 
not to walk but rather to move along without 
effort, seeing the pictures of lowest life and ill- 
shaped spirits, some of monster size. 

Into an immense auditorium I was wafted, 
a building without foundations or floor. Here, 
amidst uncanny noises, hovered a vast throng of 
Satan’s lowest legislators. 

The dreadful suggestions here given, and 
the terrible debates that followed, beggar human 
description. From all parts of the great haU the 
busy wires were communicating with every 
section of the earth’s surface. 

Blackana, still holding me by the hand, spoke! 
thus in a derisive strain : 

“O mortal, now comes my glorious revenge 
I have tasted your insults until their gaUing 
bitterness grinds me stiU. I have craved for 
this hour when I might leave you to the mercy 
of the lowest, and bring you under my feet for 
ever.” 

Then, turning to the chairman of the great 
assemblage, Blackana attracted his attention, 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


93 


and at once the attention of all the spectral 
monsters of the place. 

“Here,” commenced he, “is a piece of mortal 
flesh, fresh from the surface. I have been 
forced, by some strange power, to conduct this 
mortal man through these nether levels until he 
has seen the workings of our underground plans 
and schemes. He must never see the light of 
day, lest the world above may know the true 
inwardness and source of such laws as are called 
cursed, and rise in hosts against our surface 
operations. ” 

At this Blackana thrust me forward, and I 
went straightway to the chairman who seized me 
by the back and held me aloft in his right hand, 
while a deafening roar of strident voices was 
measuring my doom. 

“ATo, ye ten thousand V' I cried aloud, at 
which the horrid chairman fell backward, and I 
dropped unharmed to his own chair as the whole 
host were rushing at me en masse. 

The chairman sprang to his feet and waved 
a wand. “Silence and order !” he commanded. 

Thousands of brandishing weapons were 
brought to a stand, and quietness reigned in a 
moment. 

“Why say you ‘ten thousand’ ? Wkat power 
lives in those words ?” asked the chairman with 
a show of boldness, but in secret quaking. 


94 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Power unlimited, even over death, hell, and 
the grave. My flesh is not food for such as 
these.” 

“Who can you be to talk thus boldly to 
your superiors ?” 

“I am one who is sealed by the blood of 
Jesus, and have no superiors outside the gates 
of Heaven.” 

“Why came you here?” he impatiently and 
furiously demanded. “Tell me while yet you 
have opportunity to speak. ” 

Then, fully confiding in my unseen Guard, I 
stood erect and said with boldness of speech: 
“I have come to learn the secrets of this under- 
ground legislation which is sending its blighting 
curse throughout the world. Having witnessed 
the wide extent of these secret operations, I will 
now return to the brotherhood of man and sound 
the alarm of a coming reformation. O, beware 
ye multitudes that now rise against me ! I am not 
alone, nor forsaken. By faith I see armies of the 
hving God. I declare, at this moment, that earth 
will not forever receive her laws from such a 
depth. The hour must come when these million 
wires will be broken beyond repair, and all you 
fiends go grovehng under penal chains in dark- 
ness eternal. ” 

No more could I speak, for the air was 
thickening all around me with a rush of wild 






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The armies of righteousness will so ne day triumph over the black hordes of civil iniquity. 







SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


97 


demons whose threatening weapons thirsted for 
my blood. 

I stood motionless, glorying in the power of 
the Unseen, for I saw, shining far above me, a 
beautiful star of hope with peace and purity in 
its rays. 

In the same instant I again shouted, “ATo, ye 
ten thousand r Oh, what a transformation took 
place ! Regiment upon regiment of Heaven’s, 
military hosts, converging as from infinite depth 
of space, burst into sudden view, revealed by a 
dazzling light which filled the whole region and 
dazed the infernal hosts as with blindness, while* 
their weapons broke and fell beneath them in 
futile fragments. 


CHAPTER VII. 


The Hill of Remorse. 


1. While climbing a steep hill Miss Church-Member 
is touched by Remorse. 

2. Satan’s strategy in keeping her away from ^he 
Narrow Path. 

3. All her trouble is lost in company with Mr. 
World on the Mountain Top of Apathy. 

ETURNING to my former post of obser- 
and looking again through the 
open door, I beheld Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member still riding on the gravity road. 
They were approaching the Shadowy Vale, and 
Mr. World was desirous that his friend should 
close her eyes until they had passed through the 
shadows. 

She reclined her head, and soon was resting 
so comfortably that she fell fast asleep and 
opened not her eyes until they had passed 
beyond the darker scenes of the miserable valley. 

Then did Mr. World engage her with artful 
and pleasant conversation, so that she might not 
fuUy observe the features that constantly make 
this part of the Broad Highway dark and dreary. 

Satan, unseen, hovered around them during 


98 


THE HILL OF REMORSE. 


99 . 


their conversation which was well pleasing to 
him. At length, in partial disguise, he made 
himself visible, much to the terror of Miss 
Church-Member. 

“Fear not; no harm will befall you,’’ said 
Mr. World re-ass uringly as he laid his hand upon 
her shoulder. 

Satan smiled complaisantly, and spoke in 
soft tones : “Tremble not at my presence. I 
have come only to render you such assistance as 
may be especially helpful to you in your journey, 
and to disabuse your mind of such false impres- 
sions as you have evidently entertained concern- 
ing my character. ” 

So affable was his manner and so pleasing 
his' address that, to her mind, he soon lost that 
shocking hideousness which characterized his 
first appearance, and evoked from Miss Church- 
Member this apology born of her guOty con- 
science : “You would not hr^^e seen me now on 
this path had Mr. World adnered strictly to his 
promises. ” 

“Indeed, Miss Church-Member,” replied 
Satan, “you need have no regret for being here. 
You are to be congratulated upon the good 
judgment which led you into fenowship with Mr. 
World. It is your happy fortune that he has 
succeeded in preventing you from leaving him. 
You are an exception to a host of cranks, who. 


L.oPO. 


10 MR, WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


without investigation, are prejudiced by what 
they hear. You are broad-minded, independent, 
and will be found wiser and happier than the 
army of fools you have left. ” 

These words brought a mixture of pride and 
shame to her heart, and threw her mind into 
a state of great confusion. 

But by this time they had come to a long and 
steep hill called Remorse up which all pilgrims 
walked. Mr. World assisted his companion in 
alighting, and promised to give her all possible 
help in her efforts to climb the hill. 

Satan remained with them, and Miss Church- 
Member, under deepening remorse of conscience, 
loitered a few steps in the rear. Her bowed 
head indicated the warring of her thoughts. 
Then I saw that she cast a longing glance over 
the rough hills toward the King’s Highway, 
and looked for some path by which she might go 
thither. 

Her two wily companions endeavored to 
a;llay her fears by offering aU manner of cajole- 
ments, none of which either diverted or quieted 
her mind. 

“O ye friends of mine !” cried Miss Church- 
Member, “I can find rest only on yonder King’s 
Highway. Can you show me the shortest path 
leading thereto ? I cannot go to the summit of 
this hill.” 


On the Hill of Remorse. 

Miss Church-Member cast a longing glance toward the King’s Highway, and looked for some path by which 

she might go thither. 









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THE HILL OP REMORSE. 


103 


“It SO happens,” pleasantly replied the 
Devil, “that there is no way of reaching the 
so-called King^s Highway from this part of our 
route, but, if you will have patience, we wiU con- 
duct you safely to a point a httle farther on 
where you can conveniently leave this way with 
all honor to yourself. In the meantime we will 
give you all the assistance that you may need, 
and every convenience that science can afford. ” 

Miss Church-Member wept tears of grati- 
tude at this proffered kindness, and began to feel 
that this dark intruder was a friend with a 
rough exterior but a warm and congenial heart. 

“It is quite evident that you have been 
grossly misrepresented to me,” she faltered as 
her voice trembled with emotion. “I was told 
that you are the embodiment of envy, malice, 
and hatred, and vigorously opposed to everything 
religious.” 

Satan looked at her in weU-counterfeited 
amazement. “How wrongly I am judged by my 
enemies ! How can I be opposed to all religion 
when I attend church and prayer-meeting 
regularly, and sedulously listen to the sermons 
and prayers while many sleep who claim to be 
better than I ? You will pardon me. Miss 
Church- Member, ” he continued, “but allow me to 
bear the light burden you are carrying under 
your arm, and let us hasten from this sickly 


104 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

atmosphere to the refreshing air beyond the 
summit of the hill. ” 

“You are very kind, indeed,” she said. 
“Please carry these books carefully, as I prize 
them very highly. ” 

As they pushed their way up the hill, I 
looked at Blackana who, with his eyes fixed upon 
me, sat as cold and motionless as a statue. 

“Tell me, ” I asked, “why Satan has falsified 
so greatly to Miss Church-Member. ” 

Blackana, with a show of uneasiness, 
answered interrogatively : “Wherein has he 
falsified ?” 

“Did he not just inform Miss Church-Mem- 
ber that there is no way of reaching the King’s 
Highway from the place where she had been 
standing? He well knew that there is a way 
opened by the Prince of the House of David. 
Why did he not tell her ?” 

Blackana again grinned horribly while my 
indignation waxed stronger. Then came his 
pertinent reply : “My master is about his own 
business ; that is why he is so successful in his 
work. It is not his business to point people 
away from his kingdom ; his delight is rather in 
leading them upon his own Highway. ” 

“Oh ! for the voice of a thousand trumpets, 
that I might reach the ear of Miss Church-Mem- 
ber, and break unto her the words of truth and 


THE HILL OF REMORSE. 


106 


life. See how she walks on between those two 
fiends, ever nearing an awful destruction, yet 
vainly imagining, through the deceitfulness of 
her advisers, that she is nearing the place where 
she can, with greater ease, leave her present 
course and join her comrades on the Shining 
Path. Oh, that I could send a messenger, good 
and swift, in her pursuit !” 

“Rest in ease, anxious mortal ; she will get 
all necessary advice from her two friends,” 
replied Blackana with a sardonic grin. 

I could no longer look into his face, for I 
was filled with contempt. I turned my eyes to 
see poor Miss Church-Member still struggling 
up the Hill of Remorse. 

When the top was finally reached I heard 
Mr. World congratulating her : “Well done, noble 
woman ! You have fought Remorse until you 
have mastered it. The pains and pangs incident 
to this climbing are over, and if you should come 
to another hill you will ascend it with more ease. 
Look about you at these cool mountain resorts 
called Apathy, and join me in a needed recreation 
as we mingle with the merry multitudes amongst 
these shady bowers. ” 

She needed no second invitation, being glad 
to seek relief in forgetfulness of her guilt. 

As they went to their pleasures, Satan van- 
shed to give attention to others who were 


106 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ascending the same Hill of Remorse, some in a 
sullen mood and some with wails of anguish on 
their lips. 

The delightful resorts of Apathy were now 
quieting the mind of Miss Church-Member, for 
the attractions on the mountain top were so 
numerous and so ingeniously arranged that, as 
she gave full attention to them, she no longer 
suffered any pangs of remorse. 

On this plateau, so full of charms for every 
sense, I saw bands of music ; gardens of shady 
retreat where one might while away the weary 
hours in gentle dalliance ; and cooling fountains 
throwing forth their busy sprays. 

Artists were painting the scenes of worldly 
•ease, and poets were writing sweet verses for the 
singers of the place. 

Miss Church-Member, who was a lover of 
the fine arts, asked Mr. World to tarry in one of 
the gardens of the poets where they might hear 
the songs of the season just from the pens of 
their authors. 

This was a novel privilege ; so he readily con- 
sented and accompanied her into a garden near 
by. They were greeted by sounds of instru- 
mental music and charming voices raised in 
song. 

After these harmonies died away a soloist 


THE HILL OF REMORSE. 


107 


sang a hymn that had been composed that same 
day. Her voice rendered each word distinctly : 

Remorse is but the foe of all, 

The rich and poor, the slave and free. 

Unfriendly comes its bitter call — 

Perchance it comes this day to thee. 

Then come, thou troubled seeking peace 
From this unkind, intruding foe ; 

Let anxious cares no more increase ; 

Go bury all thy pangs of woe. 

Forget the things that wake thy mind 
To fleeting sorrows of the day ; 

Oh ! come and be forever blind 
To all except this Broader Way. 

Then followed a fiendish woman, in guise of a 
light-crowned angel, who delivered an address 
•entitled “The True Peace of the World.” While 
the applause which followed her remarks was 
dying away, an authoritative old gentleman arose. 
After standing a moment in dignified silence, 
he continued to carry out the program of the 
Devil by speaking on “False Lights from the 
so-called ‘King’s Highway.’ ” 

Next a quartette beautifully rendered a love 
song of the world ; this also had been quite 
recently composed. 


108 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


Sweet world, so bright and fair, 

We would thy pleasures share 
While days pass on. 

Thou art our truest friend, 

On thee our souls depend 
Till life is gone. 

In life’s perplexing days, 

Thou wilt, in every phase, 

Be ever near. 

While thy sweet, placid charms 
Dispel our dread alarms 
In times of fear. 

Who else can give relief, 

When bowed in heavy grief ? 

No one like thee. 

Thou sendest rays of light. 

Into our darkest night 

Till shadows flee. 

The melody of this song and the sentiment of 
its words had a very decisive effect on Miss 
Church-Member. She looked into the eyes of 
Mr. World with more than poetry in her glance, 
for her heart was now thrilled with the first 
touches of true love for him. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


The Valley of Temptatioti. 

1. In this valley the two great Highways run almost 
parallel. 

2. The intervening ground is all alive with Satan’s 
schemes to entice, entrap and discourage Christians. 

3. The operation of Christian forces in this valley. 


& 


PTER leaving the HiU of Remorse and 
the pleasure grounds of Apathy, Mr. 
World and Miss Church-Member pro- 
ceeded on the Broad Highway which now grad- 
ually sloped toward a deep valley. 

“What is the name of the valley which we 
are now entering?” inquired Miss Church- Mem- 
ber. 


“ ’Tis but the Valley of Temptation,” he 
carelessly answered. 

“Ah! I have heard of this valley,” she 
replied. “Whenever I was tempted or tried on 
the King’s Highway some one would caution : 
‘Be courageous, for you must go through the 
Valley of Temptation. ’ I am thankful, as I come 
to it, that I am on a Broader Way. ” 

“Many caU this vaUey ‘Entanglement,’” 
further continued Mr. World, “because of the 
large numbers who are here caught by the 
devices all along the way.” 

109 


no MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


I saw the whole valley in one view. It was 
very wide and more than a thousand experi- 
ences long and, from one end to the other, there 
were constant scenes of activity. The King’s 
Highway and the Broad Highway ran almost 
parallel throughout the whole length of the 
valley. 

The entire space between the two paths was 
occupied by the agents of Satan, and by numer- 
ous rescue bands and missionary organizations of 
the King’s Highway Church. 

I was informed that no traveler, who knows 
the experiences of hfe, ever escaped this valley. 
But the King of Glory gives his children assur- 
ance of no harm if they will heed his words and 
step not from the path upon any pretence. He 
has also placed, in plain view, countless signs of 
warning to keep his pilgrims from yielding to 
temptation, as it presents itself, with or without 
mask ; and they who pass these testing-places in 
triumph are counted stable in their ways. 

I saw in the first part of the vaUey some of 
Satan’s shrewdest agents at work. They were 
stationed along the Narrow Path at close inter- 
vals, and were endeavoring, by all kinds of 
schemes, to attract the attention of Christians as 
they journeyed through the valley. 

Prom one point they threw a hook baited 
with wealth over to the edge of the King’s High- 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. lU 

way. I saw an ambitious Christian, contrary to 
the signs of warning and all advice, eagerly 
grasp this bait. Then did the agents of Satan 
pull gently. The man seeing a clue to wealth in 
his hand would not let it go, and so was drawn 
slowly and unconsciously over into the territory 
of the World. He did not see the strand that 
drew him, for it was invisible, nor was he con- 
scious of being thus drawn, having his mind so 
fixed upon the object of his earnest pursuit. 

Thus do these agents ply their nefarious 
skill without ceasing, and so have drawn large 
numbers away from their original faith. 

Another agent I saw near-by throwing out a 
hook baited with fame. An ambitious youth let 
go all he had and seized the baited hook with 
singular avidity. It inspired him with inward 
hope, and he became so engaged in thinking of 
his golden future that he followed whither the 
gentle drawing led him, until he also reached the 
questionable ground of the World. There he 
became stiU further entangled until he was 
utterly under the sway of the tempter. 

Close by I saw an agent of the Devil fasten- 
ing a book to a line and throwing it to the edge of 
the King’s Highway. In bold letters it bore the 
title, “Forbidden Fruit,” and under this title 
there was an impure picture. 

Many, in passing by, who saw the book 


112 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 

would have examined it had it not been for their 
modesty. 

But one man, whose curiosity was stronger 
than his judgment, took the book and commenced 
perusing it. While thus engaged the invisible 
strands of influence drew the captive from the 
Narrow Way until he found a series of books and 
illustrations to enchain his attention, and Satan 
succeeded in totally winning his heart. 

I saw another book thrown to the edge of the 
Pilgrim’s Path. This was taken by a woman who 
opened its pages and saw its evil tendencies. 
Although drawn by the invisible chord, she did 
not step from the path, but threw the book as far 
to one side as she could, and proceeded on her 
journey happily singing : 

“Yield not to temptation, 

For yielding is sin. 

Each vict’ry will help you 
Some other to win.” 

This only enraged the wily foes, and they 
became more determined than ever to continue 
their work of deception and ruin. 

From one point or another I saw this dread- 
ful work progressing. Each station used a differ- 
ent kind of bait, pleasing or attractive to some 
passing pilgrims. 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 


113 


Here the enemy reaps a continual harvest 
notwithstanding all the preaching, advice, and 
influence brought to bear upon pilgrims to in- 
duce them to eschew all attractions not plainly 
found upon their own pathway. 

Some, whom Satan could not attract by a 
bait, he would catch with snares, many of which 
I saw in operation, each guarded continually by 
trusted servants of the Evil One. 

One of the subtlest of these snares consisted 
of a series of small, curiously shaped buildings. 
They stood as near to the King’s Highway as 
Satan could place them, while glaring signs 
informed the pilgrims that they could here 
obtain knowledge upon any subject. Each build- 
ing was so constructed that, at the will of a 
secret operator, it could be moved noiselessly 
from its resting place. 

Many an unsuspecting traveler who craved 
for a solution to some mystery would step into 
one of these neat rooms, and meet with a most 
cordial reception. 

I saw a man of more than usual intelligence, 
who had been faithful to his Master, stop and 
read the sign over these buildings: “Bureau of 
Information: All Mysteries Solved.” 

“Here, ” tho ught he, “in this humble place I 
can perhaps find some pearls of thought which 


114 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


more inviting waters never yielded to me.” He 
stepped in, not noticing that he thereby stepped 
to one side of the way. 

“Can I have a mystery solved here?” asked 
the visitor. 

“Without doubt, sir,” was the confident 
response of a dignified professor who was in 
attendance. 

“Can you teU me the origin of sin?” asked 
the visitor. 

Just then I saw the building commence to 
move as the professor commenced to explain the 
diflScult question. 

The professor talked so interestingly to the 
visitor that he held his attention until the build- 
ing was moved, by the secret process, to the 
brow of the mountain, and over to the great 
building known as the “Devil’s Theological 
School.” 

“Perchance, my words,” said the speaker, 
“are insufficient to fully satisfy your mind. Go 
now from the rear door to the College where all 
such perplexing questions are made clear. ” 

The visitor seizing, as he thought, a golden 
opportunity, gladly consented and, to his great 
surprise, found a building of magnificent propor- 
tions into which he entered. 

After listening a very short time to Satan’s 
teaching on the origin of sin, he emerged from 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 116 

the school with a heavy bundle of opinions on his 
back, and failed to find the Old Way. After 
wandering and stumbling about on this summit 
of human learning, he finally found the Broad 
Highway whereon he could carry his vain bur- 
den with ease. 

These bureaus of information have ensnared 
so many learned men, including ministers and 
professors, that the King of Glory has here 
placed special signs of warning to all travelers ; 
these have saved many men from the snare of 
“the fowler.” 

I saw three young college students about to* 
enter one of the bureaus. There stood an aged 
pilgrim near by who shouted : 

“Come ! ye young men, out of the snare of 
the Devil, or ye will be taken captive by him at 
his will !” 

The voice sounded so friendly that they 
hesitated long enough to discern that the build- 
ing did not touch the King’s Highway. 

Then they remembered that they had been 
told long before to go by the King’s Highway, 
and not to turn to the right hand nor to the left, 
nor even to step from the path, lest they should 
slip and fall to their hurt. So they passed on 
about their Father’s business. 

Near the edge of the King’s Highway I saw 
another device to catch men unawares. It was 


116 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

invented in the Wizard City and had been suc- 
cessfully used by Satan for many centuries. 

It was an artificial woman^ dressed in modest 
apparel, and so constructed that the arms were 
uplifted and the heart plainly visible, making the 
curious image just unnatural enough to attract 
the attention of all pilgrims. 

Over the head of the image these words 
were written: “Touch this magic heart for the 
charms that foUow. ” 

It was ridiculous to see how many of the 
young and old, in passing over this way of life, 
stepped from the path and tried the experi- 
ment. 

One man I saw who ventured to touch the 
mystic heart, and ere his eyes could look into the 
face of the image its arms embraced him in a 
tightening grasp. 

Away the image moved with graceful ease 
. into Elysian bowers of sensual joy. There he 
remained to breathe its poisoned air and feed 
upon the husks of such a clime. 

I also saw a man of riper years who looked 
curiously at another image similar to the one 
that had just moved away. At first he was 
doubtful whether to test it or not, and as he 
stood in consideration he raised his eyes and saw 
these words plainly written over the King’s 
Highway : — 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. IVJ ‘ ' 

To All Descendants of Adam: 

Beware, O pilgrim, of this woman’s heart, 

Lest you should from the Narrow Way depart; 

For if you touch a secret chord within, 

You’re borne away to wider fields of sin. 

He read this sign a few times and also heard 
the voice of a good friend who told him that he 
had seen thousands go to ruin by not heeding 
this warning. Nevertheless he was urged by 
curiosity and carnality, and being hardened by 
former acts of disobedience and v seeing nothing 
but innocent pleasure before him, he yielded to 
his baser desires. 

“O ! rescue me, Mr. Law^ I am in the 
clutches of this woman,’’ was his beseeching cry, 
not long after. But I saw that no one came to 
his help. 

There were many such places in this valley 
where men, both young and old, were enticed; 
many of whom could not have been caught by the 
snares of vice at other places along the Broad 
Highway. 

I saw also, farther down the valley, that 
Satan used all manner of traps and nets to catch 
the silly and the foolish. That which attracted 
my attention the most was a series of stations 
built close to the King’s Highway. At each place 
Satan employed a company of expert men who 
were trained to use a lasso. 


118 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

I saw certain men and women of the King’s 
Highway who became so inflated with their own 
vanity and imaginations that they rose head and 
shoulder above their humbler comrades, thus 
enabling the lasso of Pride to get hold of them. 
Some, by heeding advice, escaped ; others sub- 
mitted to the drawing power and landed in the 
kingdoms of the World where they could worship 
their new god with increasing ardor. 

There was also a certain young man who 
doted so much on his own ways that his head 
rose unusually high. He was, therefore, easily 
caught by a lasso called Conceit. Good friends 
came to his rescue and told him to realize at once 
that he was nothing, and thereby he would sud- 
denly become so small that he would drop 
completely out of his trouble. 

But he said that he could not believe a lie, 
whereat the lasso tightened still more about his 
neck, and he succeeded by stiU further strug- 
gling to remain a very brief time on the King’s 
Highway ; but being in pain, he soon yielded to 
the inevitable and went to worship before the 
shrine of his own god. 

I also saw that the women of the King’s 
Highway were an exceeding great army, mighty 
in batthng against the foe, much to the discom- 
fiture of Satan and his allies. 

To counteract the influence of this sex Satan 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 119 

has plied his ingenuity ever since the beginning. 
In his Pharaoh fashion he has so manipulated 
the customs of the world that woman is 
trampled under foot in uncivilized lands, and 
in lands of light she is ostracized by sections 
of the Christian church and despised in the 
civil realm. And yet, with a faithful heart, 
she suffers this indignity and, looking up from 
underneath this weight, she offers to the 
powers that crush her down the holiest sacri- 
fice that one can give. 

O spirit of the age, like flowers of Heaven, 

Thy fragrance will not die, but live eternal; 

And woman shall, some holier, happier day. 
Attain her highest glory in the world. 

Yet notwithstanding aU these means where- 
with Satan has made the path of woman so 
hard to travel, he has discovered that he can 
not disgrace her by any means so effectually 
as through the old temptation. 

Consequently Satan has kept the seed of the 
central tree of the garden and still raises, on 
the broad uplands of HeU, forbidden fruit which, 
through engrafting processes, has come to many 
varieties. 

This mysterious product of the tree, so suited 
to the natural palate of womankind, is provided 
abundantly on each side of the King’s Highway 


120 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

along the whole length of the Valley of Tempta- 
tion, and is offered, ostensibly, free of charge. 

I watched, with chagrin and horror, the sub- 
tle influences of this flendish work, seeing young 
women and those of riper experience go down 
alike under this intoxication of Hell. 

As I looked again at the whole Valley, what 
sad sights of intemperance painfully greeted my 
eyes ! 

The intervening ground was a veritable bed 
of iniquity, for it swarmed with half-clothed 
inebriates who patronized the miserable and 
filthy hovels of lowest resort, while inebriates, 
in finer array, entered the apartments which 
were decorated and finished in all the beauty 
that wealth could afford, and supplied with 
alcoholic beverages under a fashionable bill of 
fare. 

I could see the same Devil controlling all, and 
the same gutter or the same Hell receiving all 
who did not yield to the agencies of eternal life. 

Among the many temperance organizations 
that operated throughout the valley I observed 
a band of women who threatened to overthrow 
the evil. They had, by long persistent effort, 
discovered the underground connections between 
the distillery and the saloons, and therefore 
they were endeavoring to kill the traffic at the 
head. 


THE VALLEY OP TEMPTATION. 121 

This movement at first created laughter in 
the ranks of the foe, but the women have con- 
tinued patiently and have built a thousand batter- 
ies from which they hurl projectiles of death 
into the camp of intemperance. Since then the 
agents of darkness have ceased their laugh- 
ter and instead have set to building defences 
behind which they hope to carry on their busi- 
ness with impunity. 

But the bands of women have entered into an 
eternal agreement, pledged their faith one to 
another, and have been calling upon Heaven for 
help; therefore they declare that no fiag will 
be lowered, and no gun will be silent until the 
great wall around the city of their foes shall fall, 
either at a long blast of the horn or a continuous 
volley from their ramparts. 


CHAPTER IX. 


THe Tower of Temptation. 

1. The tower affords the most advantageous view 
of the world and a most discouraging view of the King’s 
Highway. 

2. The triumphant flight of Mrs. Discouraged from 
the tower’s top to a place on the King’s Highway called 

“Victory by Faith.” 

3. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member ride from 
the tower’s top in Satan’s new air ship. 


R. WORLD and Miss Church-Member 
y I I continuing on the Broad Highway, 
entered the Valley of Temptation with 
aU its gaiety and outward happiness. 

This valley is known by the pilgrims of the 
King’s Highway as the Devil’s Heaven, for here 
the tinsel of the world, the pomp of society, and 
the wealth of material grandeur are manifested 
in all their glory. 

“An exceedingly pleasant vaUey,”said Mr. 
World as they drew nearer to the scenes of activ- 
ity on each side of the way. 

“ Beyond my anticipation, indeed. Our jour- 
ney is growing more and more delightful,” she 
joyously replied. 

As they journeyed on Miss Church-Member 
came into agreeable fellowship with some of her 
former Christian associates who, by looking over 
122 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 123 

into the territory of the World, coveted its ways 
and were snared by one or another of Satan’s 
devices to catch the unwary. The larger portion 
of these new recruits were firmly convinced that 
they were still travehng on the road to Heaven, 
even though they had fully left the Narrow Way. 

Miss Church-Member congratulated her com- 
rades of earlier years on their happy choice 
of a wider and more pleasant path, and they 
accepted her invitation to spend a season to- 
gether in the valley. 

These new associates were welcomed most 
cordially by Mr. World who left nothing undone 
that might add to their comfort or pleasure. 

The merry company passed down the valley 
-und paused at a magnificent temperance saloon 
which occupied nearly the whole space between 
the two Highways. Into this place of attractive 
rooms I saw many enter from the King’s High- 
way, much to the displeasure of their great 
Master. 

In this infernal guise Satan seduces many an 
unsuspecting traveler to take one more step 
downward toward the lowest service of his king^ 
«dom. Mr. World courteously offered refresh, 
ments and conducted his friends into the 
“Ladies’ Parlor” where they drank alleged unfer- 
mented wines, and admired the sculpture and 
works of art which adorned the place. They 


124 ■ MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

were’ then offered their choice of porter, sweet 
cider, root beer, hot punch (special for a cold), or 
eggnog for a weak heart. Thus each one was 
enabled to find a beverage directly suited to his 
need or taste, for some had contracted a cold, 
while others were suffering with cardian 
troubles. 

Not far from this respectable place, and con- 
nected secretly therewith, stood a group of 
buildings patronized by the lower order of 
criminals and inebriates. These haunts bore a 
black reputation. 

Mr. World and his joyous companions, by 
reason of their refined natures and good standing 
in the church, would not so much as look at 
such despicable resorts, but continued their 
journey until they came to a wider section of 
the valley where they saw numberless rescue 
bands at work, but especially a great army of 
Endeavorers presenting a formidable front. 

“ Whence came this company so great that it 
cannot be numbered?’^ asked Mr. World in a 
state of nervous agitation. 

One of the new companions quickly an- 
swered : “They come from the King’s High- 
way and are trying to capture the kingdom of 
this world and bring it into subjection to God. I 
know all about them and can testify that they are 
a mighty and glorious band. ” 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 125 

The regiments of this great host were 
marching on, each soldier equipped with the full 
panoply of his station. Many of the pilgrims on 
the Broad Highway trembled at the presence of 
so powerful an army. It has caused the enemy 
much concern how to meet and, if possible, con- 
quer this foe. This army of Endeavorers cpn- 
stantly grows and, according to the claims of the 
enemy, the most successful plans to oppose it 
are not yet matured. Satan has promised his 
forces that he would utterly rout these daring 
legions as soon as some new inventions of war 
can be perfected. 

The merry companions, not being moved 
with anger, endured the gigantic display of this 
host without chagrin. 

Mr. World quieted his rising fears and 
urged his comrades onward past the Tobacco 
Station until they reached the centre of the 
vaUey where the King’s Highway was the 
roughest, and the Broad Highway the smoothest. 

Here was built the most remarkable struc- 

,A 

ture of the vaUey. A high tower of imposing 
strength occupied the whole space between 
the two highways. Its foundations were broad 
and totally covered the King’s Highway with a 
massive arch. 

This was known amongst Christians as tjie 
DeviTs Tower, or Tower of Temptation. It was 


126 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


built by Satan, and was said to afford the finest 
view of the world to all who would consent to 
take a ride upward in its electric carriage. 

The location of the tower was perfectly 
adapted to the purpose intended. Scarcely any 
pilgrims en route for Heaven passed by without 
taking a view of the sights. 

Before this mountain was built, a high moun- 
tain-cliff, on one side of the valley, was used by 
the agents of darkness for the same purpose. 

Thereon Da\dd ascended and saw the pros- 
perity of the wicked until envy filled his soul, 
and his “steps had well-nigh slipped.” Had it 
not been that by faith he looked to a mountain far 
away, and understood the end of the prosperous 
worldly minded, he might have there fallen to 
his death. 

Upon this mountain Satan took Christ, the 
Son of God, and showed him all the kingdoms of 
the world and the glory of them, and said unto 
him : “All these things wiU I give thee, if thou 
wilt faU down and worship me. ” 

From this tower Judas saw the wealth of 
the world, and there was begotten within him an 
inordinate craving for earthly gain which at last 
dragged him down to a miserable end. 

As time rolled on, Satan erected this mag- 
nificent tower higher than the loftiest crag of 
the mountain. 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 127 

I saw that Mr. World and his companions 
were looking at the exterior finish of the tower, 
after which they stepped to the base and spent 
some time in watching the many schemes that 
were employed to induce disheartened Christians 
to take the Broad Highway after descending the 
tower. 

They saw that one of the most successful of 
these schemes was a series of little offices occu- 
pied by fortune tellers of reputed abihty. In 
one of these they saw an old woman with a 
mysterious face. She professed to be able, by 
her strange conjuring, to reveal the future of 
any life. 

A certain Mr. Downcast, who was a church- 
member and had just come from the top of the 
tower, visited this fortune teller, and by her 
descriptions of his happy future on the Broad 
Highway he was induced to travel thereon at 
once. 

Mr. World and his companions decided to 
get the benefit of the broad view which could be 
had from the top of the tower. They entered a 
car at the base and were delighted by the gentle 
ascent toward the clouds. 

Upon reaching the top of the tower they 
were approached by an obliging attendant and 
furnished with spy glasses of great power with 
which they could see more distinctly the beauty 


128 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

and greatness of the world, and the roughness 
and inconvenience of travehng the King^s High- 
way. To each one was also given an ingenious 
pocket mirror in which could he seen^ at any time^ 
the inconsistencies of church-members. 

I saw throngs of people circling the top of 
the tower, and many evil agents busily engaged 
in the interest of their master. 

There had just come from the King’s High- 
way a group of church-members upon whom 
the scenery had a doleful effect. Some were 
filled with melancholy, and some were sullen, 
while despondency sent germs of slow death 
into other minds. 

These conditions enabled Satan to destroy 
more easily all hope within them of ever suc- 
ceeding on a way that appeared more rugged 
than ever, and also made them more desirous 
to taste the joys of this present life which 
now lay before them in such a winning way. 

I then saw one called Mrs. Discouraged who 
had never before seen so much of the world at 
once. She stood on the edge of the tower not 
far from Mr. World and his companions, and 
hstened to one of the pohte attendants who had 
given her also a spy glass. 

Mrs. Discouraged looked down upon the 
natural comforts of life which were here seen 
to best advantage. She saw, with ease, the 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 


129 


Broad Highway presenting a picture of happi- 
ness as far as the glass could reach. 

Then did one of the smooth-tongued attend- 
ants speak to another group of pilgrims who 
also had just come from the King’s Highway. 

“Witness the glory of the Broad Highway 
and see how it goes down this valley ever into 
finer stretches of country. See on yonder 
distant elevations that magnificent University of 
the World built at an enormous cost and sacri- 
fice for the accommodation of all travelers. 
Each one of you who reaches the lower end of 
this valley should take the Mountain Trolley 
and spend a season at those schools. They 
occupy some of the grandest buildings in the 
world. Focus your glasses and behold the 
great sight.” 

Continuing he said: “The path you see 
leading down there, in this other part of the 
valley, is called King’s Highway, very rough 
indeed, as you all can see. Thereon it is hard 
to travel and difficult to stand still. It is so 
narrow that if a traveler should stand stiU, he 
is constantly harassed or pushed about by those 
who wish to pass on. The other highway 
furnishes a marked contrast, for there a person 
may stand still without annoyance to himself 
or anyone else. The way is so wide that he 
can . even sit on an easy chair and yet not be in 


130 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH- MEMBER. 


the way of others who wish to hasten on. The 
one who built this Wider Way kept in mind the 
convenience and comfort of travelers. 

“The so-called King’s Highway,” still con- 
tinued the attendant, “is beset with many dan- 
gers, and passes through many places similar 
to the one far down the valley.” They all 
looked through their glasses and saw the 
Meshes of Doubt on each side of the Narrow 
Way. 

“Those are the sorts of places,” concluded 
the speaker, “that one must constantly pass 
through in the service of an imaginary king.” 

Mrs. Discouraged saw all these things 
and heard all these words. She was so dis- 
heartened that she knew not what to do. 

“Have I served my God in vain?” she 
questioned inwardly. “Must all my testimon- 
ies fall to the earth? Surely the way of the 
world seems to be an easy way, and more suited 
to a person in trouble.” 

She suddenly fell on her knees, as she was 
wont to do in such emergencies, and, behold, I 
saw her, on wings of prayer, fly in triumph 
from the tower’s top, down the vaUey, over the 
Meshes of Doubt, and land on the King’s High- 
way in a most glorious place called Victory by 
Faith. She thence went on her way rejoicing. 

Then did the attendant on the tower speak 



The great victory of Mrs. Discouraged who, on wings of prayer, 
escaped from the Tower of Temptation to a place 
called Victory by Faith. 



THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 


133 


of her in ridicule. “The poor mortal, in her 
insanity, has descended to a bad level and must, 
of necessity, climb yonder terrible hill which, 
as your eyes bear testimony, is the last part 
of the Narrow Way visible from this tower. 

“She went, however, in a miraculous way. 
Those wings were sure and steady, and I was 
pleased with the swiftness of her flight,” said 
Mrs. Diligence who was also a pilgrim from 
the King’s Highway. 

“Without doubt,” answered the attendant, 
“but she went with heavy labor of her wings. 
Had she told me that she wished to take a 
flight, I could have given her a finer trip in 
one of the aerial ships lately invented by the 
experts of the Wizard City. I will summon 
one. Look no more at Mrs. Discouraged with 
wings, but fix your eyes toward the east, and 
you will soon witness the floating car whereon 
thousands go out daUy from this tower into 
pleasant places.” 

As he said this he gave a signal, and soon 
the strangely shaped airship came in sight, to 
the delight of all who saw it. 

“It must be far better,” said one of the 
spectators, “to travel in a car like that, than 
to be working your wings in the air.” 

“A thing of beauty.” “The greatest inven- 
tion of the century.” “It moves as easily as a 


134 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

bird,” were some of the various sentences that 
were spoken enthusiastically as the object drew 
nearer. 

“Shall we ride in it?” quickly asked Mr. 
World as he turned to the little group at his 
side. 

The new companions who so recently came 
from the King’s Highway timorously fell back 
at his abrupt suggestion, but Miss Church- 
Member offered to accompany him. 

As the aerial machine was stopping at the 
tower Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
speedily exchanged words of farewell and pre- 
pared for the new ride. 

They were soon numbered with a host of 
expectant passengers on board. The hnes 
were loosened and the weird airship cut the 
wind like a large bird on wing, and sped away 
to the pleasure grounds along the Broad High- 
way where most of the passengers, being 
bhnded by sin, found such delightsome fellow- 
ship that they refused thereafter to travel on 
any other than the Wider Way. 


CHAPTER X. 

Dark Schemes of Satan. 


1. The two companions land far down the valley on 
“The Midway,” whence they take the Mountain Trolley 
and visit the underground Schools of Suicide. 

2. Satan’s primitive address on Literature. 


aerial car carried Mr. World and 
Miss Church-Member to the far end of 
the Valley of Temptation where they 
spent a delightful season in the pleasures of 
sense and sight. 

They lingered mostly on the wide interven- 
ing space between the two paths which was 
known in this part of the valley as “The Mid- 
way.” Here they saw a large number of 
pilgrims from the King’s Highway who were 
engaging in one or another of the endless 
amusements which can be enjoyed without 
stepping altogether on the Broad Highway. 

On this long Midway humanity swarmed 
by millions. Some, forgetful of their vows, or 
regardless of their honor, stepped into the 
lower haunts of vice, and offered sweet flowers 
of purity and fragrance in exchange for dry 
and filthy husks from the floor of the stall. 
But Miss Church-Member, in keeping with 
her moral character, did not surrender her 
chastity, and although she had such continual 


135 


136 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


fellowship with Mr. World she yet held the 
respect of many other church-members ; for it 
was quite fashionable to belong to the church 
5ind still walk in the ways of the world. Satan, 
under a heUish guise, offered to give, even before 
‘death, handsome rewards to any church-mem- 
ber who succeeds in carrying a certain amount 
of the world with him on his way to Heaven, 
and multitudes were trying the experiment. 
Some, in hope of winning larger prizes, were 
verily loaded down with the worrying weights 
of the world. 

Looking away from this immediate \’icinity 
of the valley, any traveler could see, far above 
the surrounding scenes, the “University of the 
World,” whose front buildings crested the 
mountain elevations for many miles. This im- 
posing sight had awakened the admiration of 
Mr. World and his friend, and had it not been 
for the countless attractions of the Midway 
they would have hurriedly pushed their way to 
the schools, immediately after the aerial car 
had carried them over the proud domes of the 
University and landed them in the vale. 

During one of the darker periods which 
now and then cover the whole Midway with its 
shadows, the two companions caught the 
flashes of variously-colored lights which ema- 
nated from every part of the elevated structure. 


DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. 


137 


making the entire mountain appear as if a vast 
crown of nature were decked with dazzling dia- 
monds rare. 

Miss Church-Member was excited by this 
unusual show of brilliancy, and nothing on 
the lower level could any longer hold her atten- 
tion. 

“How can we best rise to that glorious 
summit?” she inquired with a glow of enthu- 
siasm. 

“Ah,” smiled Mr. World, “surely we need 
not think of walking up this mountain. Have 
you forgotten the obliging attendant who ad- 
vised us as we stood on the beautiful tower ? 
Did he not direct us to take the Mountain 
TroUey?” 

Without delay they sought the Midway 
station, entered one of the up-to-date cars, and 
instead of going directly to the mountain top 
they were surprised to find that they were 
being carried into the bowels of the mountain. 

“Whence go we dashing through the dark?” 
asked the terror-stricken Miss Church-Member 
as she held fast to Mr. World. 

But ere her escort could answer they came 
into an immense cavern dimly hghted. The car 
stopped at a station called Rest, and a voice 
announced in distinct tones : “Come, ye troubled 
or distressed, and ye who are disgraced ! Here 


138 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

linger in this underground school and learn of 
the rest that is for the weary.” 

“What is your wish?” courteously asked 
Mr. World. 

“I am neither in trouble nor in disgrace. 
Why should I tarry?” 

“Only to see the lower schools before we 
go to the higher,” was his winning answer. 

They alighted and walked forth in the dis- 
mal light. They could readily discern strangely 
shaped buildings of a costly type. The air was 
stifling, and everything wore a melancholy 
dress ; yet, withal, there was a pleasing charm 
about the place. Some secret touch in the 
doleful music, or some bright tinge to the 
ominous shadows, awakened a curiosity and a 
hope in the visitors that prevented them from 
leaving the cavern at once. 

In a half-decided mood Mr. World and Miss 
Church- Member meandered through this sickly 
region, and had decided to leave the place when 
they saw this illuminated motto over a massive 
arch: 

To All Who Are Disgraced! 

The Shortest Route to Rest ! 

(Entrance.) 

A genial attendant informed Mr. World 
that visitors were welcome, but Miss Church- 
Member consented to enter only after some 


DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. 139 

hesitancy. It was indeed a dark school, with 
long narrow halls where one could only see the 
darker side of life. Everything about the 
place evidenced the dark designs of Satan. 
The teachers in this infamous place, by a series 
of graded instructions, suggested to their pupils 
that suicide was the surest and shortest road 
to rest. In the darker rooms of the rear I saw, 
to my horror, a scene that neither Mr. World 
nor Miss Church- Member was permitted to 
see. It was the daily graduating class of this 
school of suicide. Each member of the class 
was instructed by what new method he might 
rend the strand of life with his own hand, in 
the desperate and sickening hope of finding 
rest “where their worm dieth not, and the fire 
is not quenched.” 

I quickly turned from this revolting spec- 
tacle, and saw that Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member had returned to the station called 
Rest. They boarded the first car and were soon 
speeding on through Dismal Tunnel. It was a 
welcome moment when the car emerged from 
the darkness into the light of day and took its 
winding course upward toward the microcosm 
of schools, which, as seen from this side of the 
mountain, also presented a picture of impos- 
ing magnitude. 

When the car reached the University station 


140 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Mr. World and his friend alighted, and at once 
entered one of the carriages in waiting. They 
were hurried away toward a group of immense 
structures known as the “College of the World’s 
Literature and yet with all the immensity of 
its buildings, it was but a small part of the 
whole University which lay far extended over 
the distant mountain elevations. 

As the noiseless carriage sped along I 
turned toward Blackana, who, in strange mute- 
ness still tarried at my side. “I command you, 
O Black Interpreter, to tell me of the origin 
and management of this College of Literature.” 
As I spoke he turned his face in a manner that 
made me tremble. His sepulchral, husky voice 
only added to my uneasiness. 

“It originated,” he explained, “in simpler 
form, immediately after Satan commenced opera- 
tions on the face of the earth. Parallel with the 
progress of every age it has increased to its 
present proportions. That which you see is 
but the central point of this great educational 
enterprise. Its unseen branches extend into 
every part of the world. The whole system is 
under the control of Satan. His most learned 
disciples have charge of the special depart- 
ments.” 

“And what is the purpose of this hmitless 
scheme?” I further queried. 


DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. 141 

The whole organism of Blackana quivered 
with reluctance as if he would not answer. 
“Refuse me not,” I continued, “you well know 
that I have underneath me the everlasting 
arms.” 

He was restless for a moment, angrily roll- 
ing his awful eyes. Suddenly his attitude 
changed and he thus calmly answered my 
question: “The purpose of all these schools 

is to counteract and, if possible, to destroy the 
influence of the teachings of Him who is called 
Jesus Christ. He was once visible in the flesh 
and declared that his kingdom was everlasting. 
Of him it was said that he would reign till he 
put all things under his feet.” 

Then did Blackana add with fiery emphasis : 

Neither my master not' any of his allies will ever 
he put under his feet. Satan’s words ran wild as 
he addressed the insulted hosts of HeU on this 
issue.” Knowing that Blackana had a perfect 
memory, I commanded that he should repro- 
duce Satan’s address in my own dialect. 

Like a flash of lightning he flung himself 
to the winds around me, thereby transform- 
ing himself into the image of Satan. It ap- 
peared as if a thousand spirits in fitful rage 
were dancing in mid-air. 

Then his voice pealed forth the logic of 
Hell as Satan had spoken it centuries before: 


142 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Have ye heard, my noble comrades, how that 
Heaven flings insults into our teeth? Not sat- 
isfied that we grovel on these remains of empire, 
we are further threatened with being cast miser- 
ably under his feet. Whose feet I ask? The 
feet of our direst foe, whom to worship, as he 
desireth, means serfdom worse than ours. Is 
there one of you who will surrender his native 
dignity in such a fashion?” 

Millions of voices rendered the air hideous 
with their cries, so accurately did Blackana 
reproduce it aU. 

“I knew your sentiments,” continued he, 
triumph ringing in his tones. “What can we do* 
but stand unitedly on our rustic frontier, and 
push the conquest on to farther realms. Then 
aU Heaven will learn that we are made of grit, 
too fine and true to lie beneath the feet of any 
foe.” 

As Blackana continued, I was struck with 
shuddering terror at his avTful gestures ; but- 
conscious that no harm could befaU me, I con- 
tinued listening to his flaming oratory. 

“We must arise and seize our opportunities. 
Go forth, under cover of night, and sow the 
seed of our own growing ; this wiU flourish in 
the very soil that Christ would bring to highest 


DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. 143 

cultivation. The germs of our literature, rooted 
in human soil and growing secretly beneath the 
surface, shall spread throughout the world and 
come to fruitage in the light of every chme. 

“We must build schools of literature, 
inspire the authors of the world with our fine 
creed, and thereby spread our doctrines to the 
myriad readers of every land and tongue. Who 
then, amongst our enemies, can kill the appetite 
when once ’tis roused to craving for the carnal ? 
Give me the quill and the coming pen and press, 
and I can create thought at my bidding and turn 
the main streams of human endeavor into what- 
soever channels I choose ; and thus our river 
shall run full, while other streams are drying. 

“ With such a work how can our cause grow 
less or we go groveling under any foot ? Impos- 
sible, my heroes ! for we will live in glorious 
triumph to the end of time. On to your tasks, 
listening multitudes, and he who most success- 
fully counteracts the so-called ‘Truth’ shall be a 
ruler in my kingdom, and shine more brightly 
than the radiance of all this region. ” 

Thus was the speech suddenly ended, and I 
heard the unearthly reverberations of the fiend- 
ish cheering by the mighty host, while the form 
of Satan vanished ; but from his waning shadows 
Blackana came forth and in death-like silence 
again resumed his sullen attitude at my side. 


CHAPTER XI. 


Schools of Literature. First and Second 
Divisions. 


1. The schools described. 

2. The literature of the world tainted by the 
teachers of darkness. 

3. Satan’s rules for the winning author. 


College of Literature, in three grand 
^ I divisions, occupied one of the most attrac- 
tive sites of all the territory covered by 
the University of the World. It was owned and 
controlled by Satan, and was visited by the 
children of the human family from every portion 
of the earth. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-MeiUber came 
thither in a conveyance. They stood before the 
massive structure which comprised the first 
division of the College. Around them were the 
living fountains which, like pearls in billows of 
green, played upon the expansive lawn. While 
they strolled along the pebbled paths they were 
lost in admiration as they continued looking upon 
the stupendous building which towered far into 
the air and extended as far as the eye could 
reach. In breathless silence they noted first its 
144 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


145 


size, then its durability, and marveled most at 
the splendid symmetry of the parts, each blend- 
ing into a perfect whole. 

“Heaven must have inspired so great and 
beautiful a design,” was the first comment of 
Miss Church-Member. “Those porticos hang- 
ing in mid-air, those domes and pillars, dream- 
like, stand before me more like a hundred fabled 
castles than aught real to sight or touch. ” 

“Indeed the world affords rich and dehght- 
ful privileges to aU who will but walk in her 
ways,” said Mr. World just as they arrived at 
one of the large entrances, over which these 
words were written : 

Depository of the World’s Literature. 

Welcome to All! 

As Miss Church- Member viewed the weighty 
pillars on each side of the entrance, she 
exclaimed : “This is indeed a rare opportunity. 
Methinks I could revel, with delight, forever in 
fields of literature. Come, Mr. World, let us at 
once i)ass through the massive doors and learn 
what we can from so great a source. ” 

Although the literary tastes of Mr. World 
were not strongly developed, yet he offered no 
objections to her request. He seemed willing to 
suffer any inconvenience for her sake so long as 
she traveled on the Broad Highway. 


146 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


As they were entering the building I saw 
that many from the church and the world were 
also pushing their way into the interior that they 
might get a glimpse of the inner halls, and visit 
the ones that were best suited to their fancies. 

Miss Church-Member was surprised when 
she saw the unique arrangement of the interior. 
There were twenty-eight magnificent halls so 
constructed that they converged toward a large 
central office into which I saw Mr. World and 
his companion enter, profoundly impressed with 
the smallness of the single human mind. 

After answering the stipulated questions, 
they registered under the rules and regulations 
and were given certificates entitling them to all 
the privileges which this first division of the 
College accorded to visitors. 

In the commodious office they learned that 
each of the twenty-eight halls contained a distinc- 
tive line of literature, systematically arranged in 
numerous sub-departments ; and that competent 
librarians superintended the literature of each 
hall and of each department. 

Miss Church-Member ascertained also that 
each haU was centrally supplied with a lecture 
room having an immense seating capacity, and 
that learned professors, each in their turn, occu- 
pied the platform and constantly gave lectures 
which were intended to describe and illustrate 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


147 


the class of literature represented in their facul- 
ties. 

After considerable time spent in the office, 
they passed through the long and wide circular 
lobby, reading the beautifully embla-zoned in- 
scriptions over each entrance door, but they 
could not immediately decide into which hall 
they would first enter. 

At length after a pleasant loitering, Mr. 
World led his charming comrade into the fourth 
hall, over whose entrance, in plain words, this 
inscription appeared : 

All That Was Ever Written Concerning 
Jesus Christ. 

They first chose to enter a sub-department 
where ancient scrolls, parchments, and papyri 
could be seen in tiresome variety. Miss Church- 
Member scanned most carefully some of the 
manuscripts which had never been published. 

In other sections of the hall there were 
books and pamphlets of all descriptions, each 
one referring to Jesus Christ in a favorable or 
an unfavorable manner. 

During these visitations the attendants ex- 
tended unusual courtesies to Mr. World and his 
faithful friend, and also to the endless proces- 
sion of visitors and students who were constantly 
moving through these departments. Finally the 


148 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

two companions proceeded to the lecture room 
of this hall and listened to an address entitled: 
“The Divinity of Christ,” by one of Satan’s 
ablest advocates — a professor with ecclesias- 
tical titles. His gestures were unique and his 
style altogether persuasive. 

I heard his words with great displeasure, 
for they taught the philosophy of Hell, with 
Heaven on the face of it. 

“I must congratulate myself,” commenced 
he, “on having the privilege of addresssing so 
intelligent a class of people. I only hope that 
I may be helpful to you in your quest of knowl- 
edge. 

“The central theme of this hall is ‘Jesus 
Christ,’ and I shall now proceed to speak of 
his so-called ‘Divinity.’ I cannot question that 
there is a supreme hand in the works of nature, 
but after careful research I am compelled to 
doubt the genuineness of the Divinity which is 
ascribed to Christ. True enough, his childhood 
was blameless, and he possessed exceptional wis- 
dom so that many of his countrymen believed 
him to be more than human. In this manner the 
idea of his Divinity originated, and this fallacy 
grew as the man grew. 

“He was shrewd, and possessed a great 
amount of magnetic force which was trained 
and used with remarkable skill, all of which made 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


m. 

Mm pose as a god before a credulous and unsus- 
pecting public. The ignorance and gross super- 
stition of that age made a fit soil for the spread of 
Christ’s doctrine and the idea that he was Divine. 

“When Jesus discerned that his claims were 
more readily accepted by the poorer and more 
ignorant class of people, he lauded them in his 
teachings, while the learned and more respect- 
able classes were subjected to his abuse and sar- 
casm. 

“ By his unusual tactics he overcame the pre- 
judices of his enemies and, for a long time, es- 
caped punishment. But finally he was arrested 
and convicted and, notwithstanding his so-called 
Divine power, he came to an inglorious end by 
death on a cross. His friends, unable to prevent 
his cursed death, quickly formed a plot to p^- 
petuate his doctrines. They carried out their 
plot by stealthily robbing Christ’s body from 
the grave and secretly burying it elsewhere, and 
then spreading the news that he, of his own pow- 
er, came forth from the grave. To complete the 
fraud they also claimed, a little later, that he had 
ascended into Heaven. What was the purpose of 
all this ? It was to prove that Christ was Divine 
and thereby to make his teachings authoritative 
and eternal. 

“ I wish to inform you that the manuscripts 
and parchments, in sub-department number six 


160 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

of this hall, all point to the fact that Jesus Christ 
was born like any other babe and that his father 
was Joseph. Dishonest, indeed, is any one who 
would rob Joseph of this honor. ‘Honor to 
whom honor is due. ’ While Christ was a great 
man, he never had in him the elements of Divin- 
ity. Let millions in the world glory in their 
imaginary theology, yet that is no reason why 
scholarly research should be put to naught, or 
why it should be sacrificed. We are living in 
the morning twihght of a better day when God 
shall be worshiped and Jesus Christ ignored ; 
when all thought of Divinity will center at the 
true focus and a man will no longer receive the 
glory that belongs to God.” 

The vigorous applause which followed the 
remarks of this speaker feU with grating horror 
on my ears. “Can it be possible,” thought I, 
“that any one can publicly teach such doctrines 
of Hell, and be thus applauded ? Whither are so 
many of the church and the world drifting that 
they should give ear to such theology as it comes 
from the mouth of the Devil?” 

Miss Church-Member and her escort left the 
lecture room and visited a few more of the sub- 
departments where they saw many objects of 
literary interest and, with the aid of experts, 
examined some of the old manuscripts dating 
back to the time of Christ. 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


1,51 


They left the hall and were next attracted by 
the words over the entrance of Hall No. 9 appear- 
ing thus : 

Literature on Life. 

1. Vegetable Life. 

2. Animal Life. 

3. Mental Life. 

4. Spiritual Life. 

At the suggestion of Miss Church-Member 
they entered, and could readily see that the at- 
tendants and lecturers of this hall were also of a 
very high class. One of the speakers elaborated 
on the theory that life is the result of spontan- 
eous generation. 

Another, in speaking on spiritual life, made 
special reference to the fact that Jesus Christ 
claimed to be the “Life,” and then proceeded to 
refute this claim by a series of arguments which 
were altogether too philosophical to be under- 
stood by the two companions. 

Finding no pleasure in this metaphysical 
atmosphere, Mr. World conducted his com- 
panion to the adjoining hall devoted to the 
“Literature of Fiction.” 

Here they spent a season dehghtfuUy, perus- 
ing works of fiction and hstening to addresses, 
all of which advocated the views of Satan. 

I heard one of the lecturers, in a discussion 
on “The License of Pure Fiction” make these 


152 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

dangerous remarks: “The highest fiction of 
the world is that in which human life is pictured 
in ideal colors, even though it be done at the 
expense of truth. 

“There can be no harm if the reader should 
gain a false view of life. The very charm of such 
a view will act as a stimulus to a wider experi- 
ence and to a higher culture. 

“In our real life, as we come in daily con- 
tact with the world, we see and suffer enough. 
Therefore it cannot be harmful if fiction carries 
us into strange worlds of morality or into any 
mythical realm. I give you but the result of 
long and careful study, and I advise you to 
read the wildest and most exciting forms of 
fiction, and thereby get the healthful and ex- 
hilarating effect that comes from total mental 
absorption. All this wiU tend to the develop- 
ment of your nature so that you wiU, by con- 
trast, better appreciate the substantial things 
of life.” 

I saw that Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member next visited the hall devoted to the 
“Literature of the Passions.” 

After they had entered, Miss Church-Mem- 
ber, at first, felt embarrassed, and her sense of 
modesty would not have allowed her to remain 
had it not been that her conscience was eased 
by these conditions: 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


163 


1. She saw that among the moving thou- 
sands that were present in the massive hall 
many belonged to the higher classes of society. 

2. She was also informed that not a few 
of the throng held good membership in various 
branches of the visible church. 

3. She readily observed that Mr. World 
was so much delighted that she offered no 
protest, and that he seemed to take an in- 
terest in the endless program as carried out 
in one department or another. 

In this poisonous hall Miss Church-Mem- 
ber stultified herself more than in any other 
place which she had ever before visited, and 
thereby added one more decisive step in her 
downward course. She tarried longest in one 
of the sub-departments where Satan’s expert 
doctors of literature delivered their special 
lectures on the writings of each author as far 
as they related directly or indirectly to the 
passions. 

These avowed experts carried on their 
fiendish work under the cover of a pleasing 
dignity. After their crafty manner they quoted 
or read the fine sentences of an author, prefer- 
ably those of a sensual cast, and then placed a 
premium on the passionate by describing the 
fine style of the author and showing how true 
to nature was the language he employed. 


154 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Thus I saw that the leaders of this de- 
partment were using the choicest and the 
foulest productions of the pen, gathered from 
the authors of all lands, languages and ages, 
and Miss Church- Member, by degrees almost 
imperceptible, voluntarily sacrificed her finer 
moral taste on a popular and polluted altar. 

To a pure heart there was an unclean cast 
and a withering effect prevalent throughout 
all the departments of this hall, and my heart 
burned as I continued observing how the 
agents of Satan plied their subtle infiuences 
so as to popularize this cosmopolitan resort. 
So effectually has Satan entrenched his views 
that some of the strong defenders of this hall 
of literature are connected with the church, 
and types of this same teaching have found 
their way into some of the Christian schools 
of the world. 

After this protracted visit Mr. World and 
Miss' Church-Member left this hall and con- 
tinued their studies in hall after hall, until 
more than one half of the twenty-eight halls 
were visited. Their next objective point was 
the second grand division of this College de- 
voted to “ITie Elements of Sioccess in Authorship.'^ 

My heart trembled at what my eyes saw. 
The great army of writers who studied in this 
department came from all countries of the 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


166 


earth. “Can it be true,’’ thought I, “that so 
large a portion of our authors get at least a 
part of their training in the schools of the 
Devil?” 

“O Blackana!” I sighed, “how long have 
these things been?” 

“Since the beginning of literature,” was 
his cold and brief reply. 

“Always so large a percentage of the 
world’s authors found at that school?” 

“It has never been on the decrease,” he 
continued. “So many have visited these halls 
that it has been a veritable meeting-place of 
almost all authors of all lands and all ages at 
some stage in their careers. Some who came 
tarried long ; others, not satisfied, foolishly 
drifted to the schools of the King’s Highway 
which ever carry on their work in opposition 
to the University of the World.” 

Here also, in this second grand division, 
the subtlest kind of teaching was prevalent. 
In one sub-division Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member read these general laws written in bold 
letters where all who desired could read: 

Rules for the Winning Author. 

1. Give quality rather than quantity. 

2. If you will not compose your best, com- 
pose nothing. The world is heavily overstocked 
with inferior compositions. 


156 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

3. Write nothing that will cause regret on 
your death-bed. 

4. Do not follow in the rut. Go by some 
path untraveled before, over land or sea, and 
tell the world of your new discoveries. 

5. To be acceptable, in the highest sense, 
you must teach differently than others, even 
though it be at the expense of what is com- 
monly called “truth. Novelty is the winning 
feature. 

6. In any one composition strive first to 
arouse the curiosity of your intended readers ; 
then keep the curiosity suspended and finally 
give it satisfaction in accordance with the aim 
in view. 

7. You may be influenced by rehgion, but 
not by rehgious nonsense. If your writings 
win, you are a teacher of millions. So, in 
order to reach the pubhc ear, you may cater 
to the tastes and wishes of the majority. 

8. If you see some vile conditions of hu- 
manity, send out, in your writings, vials of 
vileness. “Like cures hke. ” If any part of 
the church cries, “poison, poison!” you may 
justify yourself by the fact that the so-called 
“poison” in your productions will only neutral- 
ize the poison so prevalent in society, on the 
same principle that poison is administered to a 
sickly body in order to effect a cure. 


SCHCX)LS OF LITERATURE. 


157 


9. You are always safest when you are 
true to nature, even though some sentimental 
people may charge you with being vulgar. 

10. Words of profanity are not allowable 
if they are the mere expression of the author, 
but any foul or profane expression may be 
quoted. An author should not be charged 
with the impropriety of his characters who 
are merely taken from actual life. 

The above ten commandments, if properly 
interpreted and obeyed, will surely lead to lit- 
erary success. 

Then Mr. World escorted his confiding 
friend from hall to hall of this second grand 
division, and at many intervals they could be 
seen spending a quiet season on the lawns 
which surrounded the entire structure. 

Their tastes were now more in harmony 
than ever, and their friendship was fast reach- 
ing that intimacy where each one was search- 
ing for pearls in the deep ocean of the other’s 
love. 


CHAPTER XII. 


The Theatre. 

1. Mr. World and his friend tarry at Satan’s Thea- 
tres which lay in seven grades, one below the other. 

2. A description of the “Century Session” held by 
the demons having in charge the Theatre interests of 
Satan. 

College of Theatres lay between the 
^ B second and third divisions of the Schools 
of Literature. The numerous structures 
were built on so large a scale, and after such 
winning designs, that the attention of many 
travelers was attracted to them and thereby to 
the performances given within their walls. 

Here could be found some of the graduates 
of the Schools of Literature who were con- 
stantly engaged on one or another of the 
stages. 

All these theatrical attractions belonged to 
the first grade and formed a part of a great 
system of Theatres which lay in seven grades, 
one below the other, each serving its part to en- 
gross the human mind with the carnal and sen- 
sual things of life. 

The performances of the first grade were* 
158 


THE THEATRE. 159 

practically free from the vulgar touches found, 
with increasing intensity, as one goes down- 
ward toward the seventh grade which lay be- 
neath the Midway in the Valley of Temptation. 

In these Satanic Theatres of the first grade 
respectability is maintained purposely so as to 
ensnare as many professing Christians as pos- 
sible, for there are many in the ranks of the 
church who are building with nothing but 
wood, hay, and stubble. The scheme works so 
well that the Devil is trying to form a “Stage 
Trust,” and get all the talent of the King’s 
Highway to unite. Thus Satan seems to en- 
courage morality in order to carry out his 
deeply laid schemes of moral pollution. 

I looked into the inward workings of this 
terrible system. I saw multitudes descending 
downward from the first grade, many of whom 
ceased not until they had passed through aU 
the seven grades. The scenes and revelations 
that came to my eyes beggar aU description. 
My heart sickened as I beheld the millions wal- 
lowing in the mire of fleshly lusts, apparently 
living for no higher purpose than to see the 
latest novelties of expressing lewdness and sen- 
suality. 

“This is brute life, indeed,” I soliloquized, 
“for it can be easily seen that the hearts of 
these people are so seared and their ears so 


160 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

dull that they have no desire for the music of 
celestial choirs, or the ecstacies that rise from 
heart-communion with God. ’’ 

I also saw that there were numberless un- 
derground connections between the lower Thea- 
tres and the Schools of Suicide, and with the 
varied haunts of Prostitution that infested the 
whole region. 

This startling fact also forced its way to 
my attention: — the money Jlowing from the entire 
seven grades fell into one treasury^ so that they 
who moved in the supposed moral atmosphere 
of the first and second grades were, neverthe- 
less, patrons of the whole iniquitous business. 
At once I thought of the churches that were in 
sympathy, or league, with this part of the work 
along the Broad Highway. And I inwardly 
uttered these sad sentences: 

“/f is no more a mystery why such churches 
have lost their holy influence and their warmth of 
spiritual life^ while worldliness flourishes from the 
pew to the pulpit. ” 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member spent 
several seasons of leisure in the Theatres of the 
first and second grades. Finally he invited her 
to accompany him to a Refined Vaudeville in 
the third grade Theatre district. It happened 
to be on the same day of the week that she had 
formerly been accustomed to attend prayer- 




The Devil’s Substitute for the Prayer-Meeting. 
The Christians left their Bibles at home.) 




THE THEATRE. 


163 


meeting. This fact awakened memories of by- 
gone days, and brought feelings of sadness to 
her heart. Mr. World, by an artful diversity 
of language, arrested her mind and calmed her 
conscience as he playfully remarked: “This 
whl be a good substitute for the prayer-meet- 
ing. 

I saw the two enter the Vaudeville with 
many other church-members that mingled with 
the jostling crowds. These Christians left their 
Bibles at home, while some took as a substi- 
tute their opera glasses. They can see through 
these better than they can through their Bi- 
bles. 

While Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
tarried at the Theatres, I was permitted to see 
a conference of the evil spirits that had in 
charge the Theatre interests of Satan. The 
conference met at the opening of the year 1901 
in what was called “The Century Session. 

For the time I was lost to all other sur- 
roundings, and I could hear all and see all as 
if I occupied the best seat. The unusual parlia- 
ment seemed to be held underground, and yet 
one could enter directly from the surface of 
the earth. 

The assemblage was controlled by a highly 
honored chief, cool and deliberate in manner. 
Every kind of imp imaginable could be found 


m MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 

in the number that constituted the many com- 
mittees. 

I witnessed every part of the diabolical pro- 
ceedings, and will here disclose a portion of 
these doubly sealed secrets. 

After all preliminaries were brushed away, 
I heard seven ominous clangs, and silence 
reigned supreme. The chairman rose to speak. 
What a minghng of light and darkness ! How 
truly Satanic his every feature and every 
move ! How earnest his brief address, every 
word in the interest of Satan’s blasting work! 

“Give heed, oh, ye co-workers, bound un- 
der oath to give a true report ! Our cause has 
made advances, and our work calls for the rip- 
est service we can give. The theatre modern- 
ized is fast vnnning the church. All honor ^ ye 
spirits who played your parts so well! The cen- 
tury has just closed, but not our opportunity. 
Let coming years be one of mightier conquest. 
Down with the narrow truth and morbid right- 
eousness, and all things else that check our on- 
ward marching ! ” 

For a moment the chairman was silent. 
Then, as he raised his hand, I heard a hideous 
clang which proved to be the signal for the re- 
port of “ The-Moral-Effect-of-the-Theatre ” com- 
mittee. Forthwith the whole committee stood 
en masse before the chairman. 


THE THEATRE. 


165 


“Our work goes on with speed/* cried the 
leader of the gang. “In every district we are 
gaining ground. ” 

“I have watched your progress with joy- 
ful pride, ” answered the chairman, as he 
smiled in heUish glee. “But I noted the sharp 
conflicts you had with certain reformers in the 
churches. ’* 

“Some of them we cannot conquer, ’* de- 
spairingly admitted the leader. 

“Grieve not over forts you cannot take, 
but make good use of those that have surren- 
dered. ” 

“They are flring our guns splendidly, ” 
quickly intercepted the leader, as he rose and 
read the following report: 

1. “We have labored earnestly in the 
ranks of the church until many more of her 
members now believe that the moral effect of 
our Theatres is helpful. 

2. “We have succeeded in dividing the 
members of many churches on this question, 
and have witnessed, with pleasure, the many 
kinds of quarrels that have resulted therefrom. 

3. “We have succeeded in turning the tide 
of many periodicals, so that the defense of the 
Theatre, as a moral stimulant, is more general 
than ever. *’ 

As the leader closed his brief report, the 


166 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


chairman offered his compliments, and the 
host cheered with vigor. 

The committee retired. The chairman again 
lifted his hand and two clangs were heard. 
This was the signal for the appearance of the 
“Park-Theatre” committee. 

“Good tidings, or ill?” tersely asked the 
chairman. 

“Good tidings of the first degree,” cheer- 
ily replied the leader of the committee as he 
proceeded to read his document: 

1. “We labored, with all zeal, to carry out 
the schemes concocted previously. 

2. “We have succeeded in locating a series 
of free Theatres at every summer park where 
we could possibly induce the management to 
admit them. 

3. “These Theatres, even though they be 
of a third or fourth class, are doing a great ser- 
vice for us by implanting a taste for other 
grades. 

4. “By this happy medium we are win- 
ning young people and church-members by the 
thousand, for they can attend these Park ex- 
hibitions without being severely criticised. 

5. “We are careful to give them enough 
immoral and sensual bait to draw them further. 
(Wild applause.) 

6. “These innocent Park Theatres must 


THE THEATRE. 


167 


not be abandoned, for they are a sure training 
school. We hereby pledge ourselves anew to 
go forth more earnestly to our tasks. ” (Furi- 
ous applause over the whole assembly.) 

“Have you met with any hindrances to 
your work?’’ queried the chairman of the meet- 
ing. , 

“Many indeed. Some Parks refuse our 
class of Theatres, while others are closed to 
every class. But our committee is determined 
to push ahead. ” 

“Onward, ye comrades,” urged the chair- 
man. “Buy up the stock of every Park, if 
possible, and furnish recreation for the church. 
Do not become too bold at first in the intro- 
duction of lewd and foolish plays, or you may 
be fought by the popular churches.” 

“Hardly possible,” replied the leader. “So 
many in the church are glad to wink at these 
incongruities, for they are thereby given a 
chance to satisfy their carnal appetites without 
being classed with the regular Theatre crowd. ” 
“This is one of our happiest modern hits,” 
chuckled the chairman, as the committee 
turned away, amidst the mad-like cheering. 

Next I saw that the chairman raised hi« 
hand, and at once I heard three sharp clangs 
which were the signal for the “Church-Choir” 
committee. 


It68 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“What has the church-choir to do with the 
Theatre, ” thought I, as I saw the obedient 
host answering to their call. 

“What tidings, good or ill?” asked the 
cshairman in a tone of confidence. 

“Progress slow, but sure, ” briefiy an- 
swered the leader of the committee as he step- 
ped a little nearer to the chairman to give his 
report. 

“ Ours is a difficult task. Some choirs are 
hedged about that we cannot so much as reach 
them with suggestions. Nevertheless, we have 
succeeded in many sections, notably in certain 
large cities. We report, with pride, that some 
churches have engaged genuine theatrical sing- 
ers to render special selections during the 
regular Sunday services. Is it not an evidence 
of our success when the opera-stage singer of 
Saturday night furnishes the chief solo for 
church-goers on Sunday morning? This is win- 
ning certain people to the Theatre, for in many 
instances they cannot wait until the next Sun- 
day ; so they visit several theatres during the 
week to keep their spiritual strength renewed. ” 

Then the demons cheered to the echo, and 
I listened with a sad, heavy heart. 

The leader continued: 

“We are also endeavoring to get the regu- 
lar church-choirs to imitate the popular theatri- 


THE THEATRE. 


169 


cal stars. Of course, we do not oppose the use 
of religious words, if we cannot induce them to 
sing our selections. We are aiming to create .a 
taste for the up-to-date novelties in music, in 
contrast to the old dry singing in certain 
churches of the King’s Highway. ” (Prolonged 
applause.) 

As this tall, wiry demon continued to un- 
fold his deep-laid plans, I well understood why 
Satan has selected the church-choir as an objec- 
tive point, and has delegated so large a num- 
ber of imps to do work in that special direc- 
tion. I then cried within me: “Oh, that these 
churches would not use their choir-corners as 
an advertising medium for the Theatre ! And 
that choirs, in their musical devotions, may be 
led by the Spirit of God rather than by the 
imps of Hell ! ” 

This committee retired with special en- 
comiums. 

The chairman rose and I heard four sonor- 
ous clangs which summoned the “Ministerial” 
committee. At once its members, in their se- 
date and portly attitudes, surged down the mas- 
sive aisles. 

I shuddered as I saw the variety of these 
mean Satanic faces, portraying a depth of vile- 
ness, 'mingled with shrewd and scholarly in- 
sight. With great care I studied this pack of 


170 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


Hell-hounds, gathered from the ends of the 
earth, now standing in sullen mood, ready to 
give their report. 

“What tidings, good or ill?” asked the 
chairman. 

“The tidings are good, ” replied the famous 
leader. “By our efforts we have silenced many 
a voice which formerly thundered against us. 
To-day many more ministers are in sympathy 
with the modern Theatre of the higher grades, 
although not a few of these must hold their 
views in secret. Others speak apologetically, 
and still more come out in bold defense of what 
they term the ‘Select Theatre. ’ ” 

“What do you consider the most hopeful 
line of your work?” further asked the chair- 
man. 

“Our work in the theological schools,” 
quickly responded the leader. “Special sec- 
tions of our committee have labored with 
stealthy vigor to capture the preacher before 
he reaches the pulpit. The last years of the 
century have witnessed phenomenal gains for 
our cause. By winning the theological student 
early to our Theatrical theories we are likely 
to gain his heart and sympathy in after years. 
Our success along these lines is the most hope- 
ful sign of the times, and bespeaks the usher- 


THE THEATRK 


in 


ing in of more sensible conditions. (Furious 
applause. ) 

Before retiring,” continued the leader, 
“let me quote the utterances of a certain 
broad-minded clergyman : ‘ The clean Theatre 

of the twentieth century will be, and ought to 
be, the moral prayer-meeting for Christians, 
while the spiritual prayer-meeting will be held 
in the church as usual. ’ ” 

The whole army of de\dls cheered like mad- 
men. I was so aroused that I felt that ecclesi- 
astical lynch law should be apphed to any min- 
ister whose utterances caused such jubilee 
among the legions of Hell. 

I could not remain to hear the report of : 
“The Moral Play ” committee, 

“The Variant Dance” committee, 

“The Sacred Concert ” committee and other 
committees whose names I could not learn. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


Schools of Literature. Third Division. 

1. Seven separate halls described. 

2. The far-reaching schemes of Satan to pollute the 
the Press and the Pen. 


World and Miss Church- Member, 
y j I after spending several hours at the 
Theatres, moved toward the vast 
group of buildings comprising the third divi- 
sion of the College of Literature. The struc- 
tures lay in a semi-circle facing a magnificent 
court, in the center of which there was a park 
of surpassing loveliness. On an immense arch, 
over the center of the park, these words were 
hung in shining letters : 


Third Division: 

True Christianity and Literature. 

As Mr. World and his charming companion 
entered this great central court, they were 
quite overcome by the size and beauty of the 
three score halls, each one widening as its 
depth increased. Some towered one thous- 
and feet in the air while others sent their 
proud domes, as it were, into the clouds. 

172 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 173 

The two companions mingled with the mul- 
titudes, engaged in the common pleasures of 
this open court, and watched with poetic de- 
light the sparkling fountains, while sweet 
strains of music from scattered orchestras 
lent their charms to the soul. The shrub- 
bery, flowers and plants, as well as the works 
of sculpture and pictorial art, all appeared as 
if angel Angers had been employed in their 
production and arrangement. 

The season here spent by Miss Church- 
Member was the happiest that she had yet 
experienced since she had left the King’s 
Bflghway. To think that she was now living 
in the threshold of True Christianity, in its 
relation to literature, was at once novel and 
refreshing to her mind, for she now claimed 
to be a more faithful Christian than ever. 

During their protracted stay at this divi- 
sion they visited the following halls, each one 
devoted to a specific purpose: 

Hall No. 3. “The Bible from a Literary 
Standpoint. ” 

Hall No. 8. “The Best Literature for a 
Sunday School Class.’’ 

Hall No. 9. “The Best Literature for Sun- 
day School Libraries.” 

EfcJl No. 13. “The Best Literature for a 
True Christian to Read.” 


174 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Hall No. 16. “Literature for a Christian's 
‘Grip’ when on a Vacation.” 

Hall No. 27. “The Sunday Newspaper and 
Other Publications.” 

Hall No. 38. “The Best Way of Conduct- 
ing a Religious Newspaper.” 

Mr. World spent a day with his apprecia- 
tive friend under the teaching of Hall No. 3. 
The professors were exceptionally brilliant, 
and so won the confidence of their many hear- 
ers that what they said seemed to have more 
weight than even the Bible. They tried to 
demonstrate that the literary style of the Bible 
was far below par. 

When they entered Hall No. 8 they were 
surprised to see how large a number of Sun- 
day school workers and teachers were already 
there. The meeting that day was held largely 
in the form of an open parliament, and a dis- 
cussion was in progress concerning the use of 
the Bible in the class during the study of the 
lesson. 

“Would it not be preferable,” asked an 
interested visitor, “to use the Bible in the 
class during the study of the lesson, and use 
the special helps only for preparation?” 

“Don’t think of it, don’t think of it!” 
abruptly answered the teacher. “It only would 
be a step backward.” 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 175 

“It appears to me/’ continued the visitor, 
“that our young people ought to become more 
familiar in using and handling the Bible, and if 
it were used in connection with the study of 
the lesson it would surely prove to be a valu- 
able help, even beyond what the present sys- 
tem affords.” 

“And would you throw aside all the very 
valuable side lights to the lesson that are being 
produced in such rich variety and abundance?” 
hurriedly asked a Sunday school teacher who 
was present on a furlough. 

“Nay, nay,” earnestly spoke the visitor, 
“let the press go on, but let not its fruit be 
substituted for the bread of life. Fruit is 
good, delicious and healthful, but we need the 
staff of life. Let the real actual Bible he handled 
and used in the teaching of the lesson. Then what- 
ever else is wise to use as an auxiliary help may he 
brought into service. That is my platform, pure 
and simple.” 

The leader of the meeting was agitated. 
He impatiently rose to his feet before the last 
words had fallen from the visitor’s lips. 

“Let us use reason,” he said, with a light 
vein of sarcasm in his voice. “Is it not true 
that the average child sees enough of the Bible 
in his home and in the public schools, and that 


176 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

he greatly relishes a change when he comes to 
the Sunday school?” 

“That’s only too true,” spoke up the 
worldly element who were there in large 
numbers. 

“Let me assure you,” continued the speaker 
as he was warming to his theme under false fires 
of devilish sophistry, “in the day when the Bible 
was used in the Sunday school classes, spiritual 
ignorance abounded more than now. ” 

“Why not be satisfied with rapid advance- 
ment, instead of inviting retrogression in knowl- 
edge, and a double decimation in Sunday school 
attendance, by compelling scholars to go search- 
ing through a book as uninteresting and un- 
fathomable to them as the Bible?” 

“One great hindrance to Sunday school 
work is its pious and sanctimonious tendency. 
If the schools of the twentieth century are to 
be successful, we must have less of that Bible 
stiffness in them, and still more of an open 
sociability. ” 

The worldly element and some of the Sun- 
day school teachers were now cheering heartily. 
But the speaker continued ; 

“Instead of going to an extreme that means 
death to the Sunday school by advocating that 
an army of cold Bibles should go walking into 
the service, I should rather advocate a change 
in the other direction, for I am even opposed 
to the tons of cheap literature filled with cloudy 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 177 

opinions that are now being scattered through- 
out our schools. We need lesson helps that are 
interspersed with incidents of adventure, and 
startling stories that have fire and life in them. 
Let some publisher take the hint. 

“Then the boy or girl whose daily reading 
may consist of that style of writing will find 
the Sunday school more congenial to his nature, 
and he will go there with a bound. In that 
manner you are certain to win the boy’s heart, 
after which you can, with tact, send the spirit- 
ual truth deeper into his soul. From such a 
scholar keep the Bible as far away as possible. 
It is not even necessary to lay stress on the 
fact that the lesson text is taken from the 
Bible. 

“If the teacher can succeed in holding his 
respect for the Sunday school, then, in after 
years, when he is more matured and is better 
able to reason, you may bring the Bible itself 
more directly to his attention, and you will 
secure better results than are prevalent to-day 
in the Sunday school world.” 

The audience cheered lustily. In this 
cheering Mr. World and his companion joined. 
The visitor, who was deeply grieved at the 
warm reception of such fiendish doctrines, 
arose to speak, but the intolerant cried out: 
“Away with him ! We want no more bigotry 
and one-hundred-years-behind-the-time speech- 


178 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

es !” At the the suggestion of the chairman he 
was hurried from the room to appear before a 
commission on lunacy. 

The speech had its desired effect. The 
great majority of the audience were convinced 
that the Bible was not a “drawing card,” and 
that it should not be introduced into the class 
study if it could possibly be avoided. A few 
pledged that they would do all in their power 
to effect a revolution in the present system of 
lesson helps. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left 
this hall and entered Hall No. 9. It was a rare 
privilege for them to walk through the largest 
Sunday school library in the world, where 
many committees were at work selecting books 
for their respective Sunday schools. 

Satan had so ingeniously managed the com- 
position of these books, and so artfuUy arranged 
them on the endless shelves, that one could 
scarcely discern the good parts of a book from 
the bad, or determine in which section of the 
haU the largest percentage of good books could 
be found. In this way committees almost in- 
variably picked up considerable chaff with the 
wheat. 

I looked at Blackana and sighed: “Oh! 
Blackana, how long wiU these things be? If 


SCHOOLS OP LITERATURE. 179 

only a conflagration would reduce the contents 
of that hall to ashes 

“Ah! mortal,” he coldly replied, “these 
things will never be destroyed, for the • build- 
ing is fire proof. Surely the Sunday school 
should get as much of its library as possible 
from a source so well protected.” 

“For what fiendish reason?” I asked as I 
was moved with indignation. 

“Nothing fiendish about it. Satan can 
furnish books at less cost, and thereby be of 
material financial help to the Sunday school. 
Furthermore, he is able to furnish a larger 
variety and a more inviting class of books, 
with more spicy fiction, and less of that dead- 
ness so generally characteristic of the books 
coming from the hand of a narrow-minded 
Christian. ” 

“ Silence, thou agent of the Devil ! Thou 
art again dealing in falsehood. When thou 
speakest to me, speak truthfully or hold thy 
tongue in quietness.” 

He rolled his eyes at me, but spoke no 
more. 

In the early hours of the following day I 
saw the same two companions enter HaU No. 13 
devoted to Best Literature for a True Chris- 

tian to Read. ” They moved leisurely from table 
to table scanning and reading the books and 


180 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 
booklets which, in great variety, lay before 
1ihem. 

Weariness urged them to a seat in the 
lecture department where they were enter- 
tained by a scholarly address on “Choice Litera- 
ture for a Christian 

“It must not be forgotten.” said the 
speaker in one part of his address, “that the 
mind can be ruined by lack of vigorous ex- 
ercise. In the physical body the stomach 
would become weak and sickly were it not 
compelled, quite frequently, to digest strong 
foods or a great variety of them. So also the 
mind, in order to reach its true development, 
needs a wide variety of thought-food. Not 
alone that of a sickly-sentimental or sanctimo- 
nious kind which in its place is all right, but 
such a variety as will best stimulate the mind 
in a well-rounded, liberal education. In partic- 
ular, a good Christian should peruse such 
literature as will inform him thoroughly con- 
cerning the enemies of Christianity. He should 
not spurn, but rather study infidelity, skepti- 
cism and every other hostile movement, so that 
he may be able the better to appreciate his own 
position. The Bible is not so much a book for 
reading, as a book of reference, and therefore 
a Christian’s loyalty to Christ must not be 
measured by his reading and studying the 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


181 


Bible, but by his success in locating the ene^ 
mies of the cross and studying their designs, 
looking over their encampments, and estimat- 
ing the strength of their weapons. If he be- 
comes thus acquainted with the foe, he is in 
better position to order an advance, or to effect 
a treaty whereby much strife may be avoided.” 

HaU No. 16 was next visited. It offered to 
its patrons a happy time. Here the work of 
the artist was in pleasing evidence. On beau- 
tiful walls were pictured retreats of aU kinds. 
The games and sports, in endless variety, 
which make merry the park, field and glen, 
were the subjects of some of the paintings. 

These were the titles of some of the larger 
waU paintings : 

“A restful day under the oak.” 

“The campers at the midday meaL” 

“An hour of idle reading.” 

“Around the camp-fire at night.” 

“At rest beside the bounding brook.” 

“Along the beach at bathing time.” 

“The cottage by the sea.” 

Nothing was said about the paintings on 
the wall ; they were merely suggestive of the 
refreshment that came after toiL 

The lecturer of this haU was a joUy man, 
an athlete of fine proportions, whose splendid 


182 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

appearance attracted the attention of the throng 
of listeners. 

“We are not here to discuss the good Or 
evil which comes from various kinds of recrea- 
tion, but to tell you, from experience, what 
kind of reading to take with you when you go 
on a vacation, or a pleasure trip. As you are 
seeMng rest for the body so let your religious 
books have a rest. Leave them all at home, ex- 
cept the Bible, and prayer book, — you might 
take them along to be used in case of sickness 
or accident. Then put in your ‘grip’ some 
humorous books, such as will make you merry. 
Besides these place therein some other very 
light reading, such as will rest the mind from 
the more serious things of life. 

“As a father delighteth to see his children 
roam and romp in glee over the meadows after 
the time of faithful toil, so the Heavenly Father 
delighteth to see his true children lay aside the 
seriousness of prayer and Bible study, and go 
forth in joyful rest to the seashore, or to the 
quiet glen in the fastnesses of the woods. If you 
foUow these directions, you will get the cream 
of pleasure and profit, and return to your secu- 
lar or religious work with renewed vigor.” 

I saw many ministers of the gospel in the 
audience, but not all seconded the words of the 
speaker. 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


183 


Mr. World and his confiding companion 
were surprised after entering Hall No. 27 to 
find on exhibition a copy of all the periodical 
publications of the world. This was a large 
hall and had sub-divisions, each devoted to a 
distinct class of literature. One department 
contained all non-sectarian religious publica- 
tions ; another the sectarian ; still a third was 
devoted to daily newspapers, partisan and non- 
partisan ; yet another contained all trade jour- 
nals ; another aU the scientific periodicals, and 
thus the plan was continued throughout. 

This was the busiest place of all, for some 
of the periodicals had their offices in this hall, 
while others had representatives there, so that 
countless thousands thronged the sub-depart- 
ments daily. Each sub-department had its 
own corps of lecturers. 

Many editors, before entering into active 
service, take the entire series of courses offered 
by this hall, and are thus taught to prevaricate, 
abbreviate, and exaggerate, or do ought else to 
attain the end in view. 

I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Mem- 
ber pass by one sub-department after another. 
They were not pleased with the excitement that 
prevailed. They had intended however to pause, 
at the department devoted especially to the 
Sunday newspaper question, and tarried at 


m MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

the door long enough merely to catch these 
few words from one of the speakers : 

“I am a member of the church myself, and 
bear an honorable name therein; but I am un- 
willing to be classed with a set of bigots who 
would rob us of our personal liberties and, if 
possible, place all kinds of restrictive measures 
about our inalienable rights. I stand for liberty 
first of aU, and tyranny never. Why should 
one dictate to me what I shall read on Sunday? 
I look at my Bible more than one hundred 
times a year, and read a Sunday newspaper 
only fifty-two times. It was a happy change 
that started the regular press of the country 
to yield seven issues a week, and thereby send 
forth additional rays of enlightenment to a peo- 
ple who are in sad need of all that they can get 
to increase their intelligence. 

“According to my opinion there are so 
many practices that are worse than reading a 
Sunday newspaper that Satan must surely be 
annoyed to see a man engaged in such a harm- 
less pursuit. Happy, indeed, would we all be 
if the 

The two companions passed on and heard 
no more, until they left this haU and paid a 
brief visit to Hall No. 38 devoted to “ The Best 
Way of Conducting a Religious Newspaper. ” 

There were very few editors present, but 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 18^^ 

the debate amongst them was vigorous and, at 
times, very contentious, much to the interest 
and enjoyment of the spectators. 

The question being discussed was : 

Can We Best Increase the Circulation of the 
Church Paper 

After a few exchanges of opinions, the 
chairman of the meeting advocated, with grave 
dignity, that all religious newspapers should be 
more conformed to the tastes and the level of 
a hungry world. “There is too great a con- 
trast, ’’ said he, “between the mental condition 
of the laymen and the high, cold tone of the 
average religious paper. Let the editor of a 
church paper do as did his Master Jesus Christ, 
— come down to the level of the world, where 
he can reach the heart and the ear of the com- 
mon people of whom the masses are composed, 
^^o paper should be so holy that it cannot adapt 
itself to the development of the natural as well 
as the spiritual part of man. ” 

These remarks were warmly applauded. 

Next an editor of a religious paper arose, 
and spoke with decision : 

“I want to be as liberal and broad-minded 
as God would have me be. I came to this hall 
with doubtful steps. I cannot say that I have 
profited thereby. My mind is at variance with 
the chairman of this meeting. He says : ‘ All 


186 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


religious papers should be more conformed to 
the tastes of the hungry world. ’ Let me ask, 
with all honesty, what is the taste of the hun 
gry world ? Is it not a terribly perverted 
taste, a hungering for the black sins of death? 
I contend that it is the work of a good paper 
to be a beacon light, even though it shines 
from a lofty light-house. It may thereby shine 
out farther and wider. Away with the doc- 
trine of devils that would pervert the truth and 
send with merciless fling ” 

At this juncture the speaker was seized by 
an officer who came running in at the ringing 
of a bell and arrested the editor on the charge 
of “disturbing the peace, ” which, the chair- 
man declared, was due to a diseased state of his 
mind. 

Miss Church-Member was freightened from 
the hall by this episode, and was followed by 
her less fearful companion. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


The Devil’s Temperance College. 

1. Mr. World and his companion visit this immense 
college, with many wings, all devoted to teaching every 
phase of the temperance question in accordance with 
Satan’s views. 

2. A view of the millions who attend this college. 


0 


UTOMOBILES are used by the agents of 
Satan to convey students and visitors 
from one college to another of the great 
University of the World. 

I saw Miss Church-Member and her cher- 
ished escort leave the College of Literature in 
one of these up-to-date carriages. 

‘‘Shall we tarry at the athletic field?” 
asked Mr. World as they came to a famous 
sporting ground. 

“Let us rather hasten to the Temperance 
CoUege, ” she suggested. But her manner in- 
dicated that she did not wish to urge him away 
from the place of his heart’s desire. 

“Altogether at your pleasure,” he smiled, 
as he sank back into the comfortable cushions 
of the conveyance. 

They soon reached the desired locality, saw 
the moving millions from aU portions of the 
187 


188 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


earth, and heard the ceaseless babble of their 
voices harmonizing with the work of this college 
which was known among the pilgrims of the 
King’s Highway as The DeviVs Temperance Col- 
lege. It covered many acres of ground, and con- 
sisted of many immense buildings, around 
which clustered many smaller structures serv- 
ing for auxiliary purposes. 

When Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
walked about the college grounds, and saw 
more closely the magnitude and beauty of the 
edifices, they were so overawed that their 
tongues offered no comment. 

They mingled a while with the merry multi- 
tude, and then at one corner of the group en- 
tered the gigantic building devoted to the sub- 
ject of Temperance and the Bible. They hoped 
thereby to get the consensus of opinion on one 
of the complex questions of the day. 

At the bureau of information the two com- 
panions were directed to the Public Hall of De- 
bate which was reached by the aid of one of 
the numerous electric elevators. The Great 
Hall had an auditorium of one hundred feet in 
height and a seating capacity fuUy capable of 
accommodating the visiting multitudes. The 
acoustics were so perfect that one, at the farther 
end of the room, could easily hear the speaker 
on the stage. 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 


189 


When Mr. World and his friend had entered 
the hall they were surprised to learn that many 
of the auditors were members of the more radi- 
cal churches along the King’s Highway. 

The corps of high titled professors who oc- 
cupied the stage spoke at intervals, or answered 
questions which were propounded by persons 
in the audience. 

Over the stage I saw in illuminated letters : 

Temperance and the Bible. 

An aged man was speaking when the two 
comrades took seats near the center of the 
room. 

“We are not here, ” explained the venerable 
man, “to prove that the Bible is either false or 
true. We leave that question for other schools 
to decide. It is our province to show what 
the Bible teaches on this important theme. Tem- 
perance is a word so misused and so abused 
that it becomes people of sound judgment to 
go to the rock bottom of the question as viewed 
in the light of Scripture. ” 

Then, adjusting his green spectacles, the 
speaker opened the Bible and offered to ex- 
plain, or to have explained, any part of it that 
bore oh the subject of “Temperance from a 
Bible Standpoint.” 

A breathless silence followed until a moder- 
ate-drinking church-member arose with Bible in 


190 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


hand. “Did Christians, during the life of 
Christ, drink wine?“ he asked, in a self-right- 
eous manner. 

The speaker called upon Mr. Wine Expert 
who quickly stepped forward from his chair on 
the stage. 

“There can be no doubt, “ he affirmed, “but 
that they drank wine freely. They knew 
enough in that day not to discard a good thing. “ 

Hundreds of people sprang to their feet, 
but Mr. Venerable ordered that one should 
speak at a time and that they all should be 
seated and first listen to the questioner. 

“Was that wine the same, in kind, that 
Noah drank, as related in Gen. 9: 21?“ 

“Identical. “ 

“And the same that is used to-day in the 
commercial world ? “ 

“It is the same as the good wine that is 
used to-day. There are many modern adulter- 
ations. “ 

The questioner took his seat. A man from 
London then obtained the floor. He also held a 
Bible as he spoke. 

“I am a temperance worker in one of the 
districts of London, and would like to know 
whether you conclude by your former asser- 
tion concerning the early Christians that the 
Bible does not speak against wine drinking ?“ 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 191 

“Not in a single place. How could it do so 
consistently?” answered the Devil’s expert. 

“Will you please turn to Prov. 20: 1. ‘Wine 
is a mocker, strong drink is raging : and who- 
soever is deceived thereby is not wise. ’ How 
do you harmonize this passage with what you 
have just asserted ? ” The man from London 
sat down. 

“Quite an easy task for one who has given 
honest study to the question, ” said Mr. Wine 
Elxpert. “Wine is a mocker. Just as wisdom 
mocks at the calamity of those who reject it in 
Prov. 1 : 26. So, wine, personified in a similar 
manner, mocks at the foUy of those who refuse 
it. (Applause.) Strong drink is raging. Just 
as in Jonah 1 : 15, the sea was raging in protest 
against Jonah because he refused to preach the 
truth to the people. So in this passage, ‘ strong 
drink is raging, ’ because so many church-mem- 
bers and ministers refuse to preach the real 
truth to the people on the subject of strong 
drink. (Prolonged applause.) If there were as 
much said against me falsely, as has been 
spoken against strong drink, I would not only 
rage, but would go raging and foaming over 
this stage in protest. (Tremendous applause 
and shouting from the people of the world.) I 
teU you more, my friends, strong drink will 
keep on raging as long as old Voices and ‘The 


192 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

New Voice’ of cranks and idiots are heard to 
squeak out their childish nonsense to an en- 
lightened people. ” (Furious applause and demon- 
strations.) 

“The last part of the passage is easily to 
be understood, ” continued the speaker. “ ‘Who- 
soever is deceived thereby is not wise. ’ How 
could a person be wise who allows himself to 
be deceived and hoodwinked concerning as 
good a thing as wine or strong drink?” 

“ Nobody, we need not fear, ” cried out a 
brewer from one side of the room. 

“There is however a host, ” continued Mr. 
Wine Expert, “who are woefully deceived, and 
who are endeavoring to force their deceptions 
upon the state. ” 

“And I am one of them, ” shouted a tall 
man from Kansas, U. S. A., as he violently 
jumped to his feet, and remained standing. 

“ I would suggest, ” calmly interrupted the 
venerable leader, “ that our special photographer 
take a snap shot of this man. We are always 
glad to keep a record of such monstrosities. 
He looks hke a fair specimen of a deceived man. 
(Laughter.) He is lean and bony, and if any 
one of you never before saw such a man, take 
a full view of him now. Suppose you, ” he 
said, as he continued pointing at the Kansas 
man, “slowly make a full revolution on your 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 193 

feet so that each one can here see all sides of 
you, — if you have more than one side. (Great 
applause amongst the people of the world.) 

The man from Kansas stood still till the 
voice of the insulting outcry died away. 

“I can stand abuse; I can stand irony and 
sarcasm; but I thank God that where I live I 
need no longer endure the insults of the 
Rum Devil. (Suppressed applause.) If Mr. 
Venerable thinks I am the only man present 
who comes under his classification of ‘deceived 
persons, ’ I will demonstrate to him his foUy, 
for there are many thousands here who have 
not yet bowed the knee to Baal. ” 

“Out of order!” “Put him out!” “Away 
with him ! ” came from the audience. 

“If there is a person here opposed to the 
Rum Traffic, let him rise, ” fearlessly con- 
tinued the tall man. 

Up sprang a W. C. T. U. leader ; then an- 
other person ; then a hundred from Maine ; yea, 
a thousand more until over seven thousand, 
from all parts of the world, stood on their 
feet. 

“Remain standing, I ask you ! Let not one 
of you act the coward ! There are others here 
today, who came in, as I did, to visit. Stand 
up ! Show your colors ! If you remain seated 
you wiU be classed with the enemy. The time 


194 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

to honor your cause is at hand. I ask you 
seventy thousand church-members present to 
choose this day whom you will serve.” 

Mr. Venerable, who was an experienced 
man in these uprisings, whispered to an excited 
saloon-keeper : “Let them proceed. A house 
divided against itself can not stand. ” 

“I demand order, ” shouted a high-license 
advocate who owned a brewery, but the agi- 
tated fellow was soon calmed by these personal 
words from the venerable chairman : Let these 

people go. They will soon get into factional con- 
tention and thereby break the point of their steel 
more effectually than we could do it. ” 

“Remain standing, ye noble band of men 
and women!” shouted the Kansas man with 
increasing earnestness. “You, who are too 
cowardly or indifferent to rise from your seats, 
are throwing your influence this day on the side 
of the enemy, thereby casting a reflection on the 

church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and ” 

This was more than a certain minister 
could bear. So, before the Kansas man had 
finished his last sentence, he sprang excitedly 
to his feet and shook his fist defiantly: “I 
want it distinctly understood that I am just as 
good as the man from Kansas, and just as much 
of a temperance man, but I don’t beheve in this 
way of showing my colors. I would not be 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 195 

standing now had I not been insulted more by 
that crank of one idea, standing there, than by 
Mr. Wine Expert who so contemptibly per- 
verted Scripture. ” 

Mr. Wine Expert sprang to the edge of the 
stage to defend his position, but Mr. Vener- 
able was instantly at his side. “ Comey carney 
cUmH spoil that fight ; suffer rather than have them 
comhine against yoit,” were the quiet words of 
logic that brought him to his seat without 
uttering a word. 

Then up jumped a few prominent church- 
members to express their indignation at the 
adverse criticism of the Kansas man. 

“Those are exactly my sentiments, and I 
here offer my protest against this manner of 
procedure, ” said one as he looked approvingly 
at the minister. 

“And so do I. ” “I am most emphatically 
of the same opinion. ” “I stand here, a true 
temperance man, to express my indignation at 
that Kansas prodigy, were some of the ex- 
pressions which came from temperance men 
who were not willing to be classed with the 
seven thousand. 

Then upwards of one hundred women rose 
to their feet and indignantly rebuked the Kan- 
sas man for his misjudgment in starting this 
factional display. 


196 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

This provoked some radical leaders of the 
W. C. T. U. who chanced to be there as detec- 
tives or visitors. They also arose in defense 
of the Kansas man. 

I saw the tumult rising. Disorder was 
pre-dominant. Hundreds tried to speak at 
once. Saloon-keepers, brewers, whiskey poh- 
ticians, and the professors on the stage were 
smihng in ghoulish glee. They enjoyed it 
more than a prize fight, and the results were 
at once more disastrous and more deplorable. 

As the confiict waxed hotter some men and 
women were screaming, and some fainting, and 
some resorted to blows. Others scrambled to 
get from the room. The elevators were put 
in quick service, and I saw Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member, with thousands of others, run- 
ning from the scene of the fight. 

“Let us go to another building, “ suggested 
Miss Church-Member. 

A very short time after this I saw them 
^nter the largest building of all the Temper- 
ance College. It stood centrally amongst the 
great group, and was devoted to Hygiene and 

4 

Temper ance. ” 

After learning that they came as visitors, 
a director advised them to pass the many medi- 
cal wings on separate fiats and go to the great 
auditorium on one of the higher floors. 






THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 199 

Proceeding, in obedience to the advice 
given, they soon beheld a room of greater size 
and magnificence than the one which they had 
just left, and as they were taking seats they 
fixed their attention on the lecturer who had 
already been speaking for an hour. He was 
discoursing on the relation of strong drink to 
the stomach. 

“It must be remembered,” affirmed he, 
“that the stomach was made to serve man. 
The appetite is the true criterion by which he 
may know what his body needs. If he feels a 
thirst for alcohohc drink, it is akin to a hunger 
for any special class of foods. He is not to ask 
his servant, the stomach, whether it is willing 
to do the work of transformation. He is to give 
it the work to do. The stomach wiU do it, un- 
less that particular digestive function is lost. 
It is claimed by some who know more about 
ditch-digging than about physiology, that alco- 
holic beverages ruin the lining of the stomach, 
creating ulcers, and other disorders. This kind 
of teaching reminds me of a conundrum. ‘ Why 
is a scientific temperance man like a dead man 
in his coffin?’ Who can answer it?” 

“Because each one ought to be buried,” 
guessed a liquor-merchant from Paris. (Laughter.) 

“A good guess,” said the speaker, but you 
have not yet hit the mark.” 


200 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“Because needer von dem is vert anyding/ 
said the proprietor of a beer-saloon from Ger- 
many. (Increased laughter.) 

“You are stiU away from my idea,” spoke 
the lecturer. 

“I know it,” said a rum-lawyer. “It is be- 
cause they both lie.” (Applause.) 

“That’s exactly the truth of the matter. 
These so-called ‘scientific temperance men’ are 
accountable for more hes imposed on a credu- 
lous pubhc than can be corrected for many 
years to come. Any sensible man knows that 
moderate drinking is healthful to the stomach. 
If a man drinks too much, he is liable to trouble, 
just hke a man who eats too much, or sleeps 
too much, or even talks too much about tem- 
perance. (Applause and laughter.) I teU you, 
my good friends, a little of that elixir of life is 
just as good for my stomach as it was for 
Timothy’s, and the good man Paul would say 
the same thing if he were here to-day. (Cries 
from the world of “that’s so!” and “hurrah 
for Paul!”) I am satisfied to have a great man 
like Paul on my side, even if I must know that 
some of his pigmy disciples are against me.’ 
(Increased applause.) 

This speech was especially enjoyed by Mr. 
World who himself was addicted to a moderate 
use of alcohohc beverages. 


TOE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 201 

An announcement came from the platform 
that in an hour the eminent Dr. Strauss of 
Europe would discourse on “The Effect of Malt 
Liquors on the Heart,” and those who wished 
to remain might spend the interim in social in- 
tercourse. 

In consequence of this announcement the 
major part of the audience dispersed in vary- 
ing groups, and discussed the merits of the 
lecture just ended. 

Every creed was there represented by a 
few or more of its members, many of whom 
were favorably and deeply impressed by the 
argument of the Devil as it was given in the 
address. 

Others I saw, not a few, who laid bare 
this iniquitous scheme of presenting the un- 
truth, and declared that they would no more 
give ear to any teaching that came from that 
source. 

This gave rise to endless quibblings and 
contentions between church-members of the 
same faith and those of separate creeds. 
These disputes continued with increasing bit- 
terness until the hour had passed. 

All eyes were fixed upon the stage as the 
portly Dr. Strauss arose to speak. His voice 
at first was slow and deep, and in aU he was 
the personification of dignity. 


202 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

The first part of his lecture was a very 
convincing argument in favor of what is called 
the Normal Use of Malt Liquor He declared 
that moderate drinking could have no evil effect 
on the action of the heart, except in rare 
cases. To prove his general statement and to 
win the confidence of his hearers, he quoted 
over forty printed and written extracts from 
eminent physicians of the world. 

After this general survey of his argument, 
he entered into details and illustrated the sec- 
ond division of his lecture by the use of picto- 
rial charts. In this manner the construction 
and action of the heart were concretely shown. 

In the third division of the lecture the 
Prince of Darkness showed his skill in manip- 
ulating the utterances of the speaker. By a 
second series of illustrated charts the lecturer 
intended to show how alcoholic beverages, in 
coursing through the human system, bene- 
fited the heart rather than injured it. In try- 
ing to establish this point he used the subtlest 
sophistry of Satan. 

Through the three divisions of the dis- 
course I heard vigorous applause, and when, 
in the smooth language of his final climax, he 
uttered the last word and was returning to his 
seat, there was a deafening roar from all parts 
of the vast hall. 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 


203 


To the mind of Miss Church-Member the 
argument of Dr. Strauss was unanswerable, 
and consequently she was obliged to revise 
her radical opinions on the temperance ques- 
tion ; and not only she, but a host of others 
from the ranks of the Christian church were 
influenced similarly. 

After leaving this hall the happy pair spent 
a long time in passing through some of the 
other buildings of the group. Miss Church- 
Memher was so filled with the doctrines of the Devil 
that she thought of going as a missionary to the pil~ 
grims of the Narrow Way. 

During their visit at the Temperance Col- 
lege Mr. World conducted his ever-faithful 
friend through some of the fashionable tem- 
perance-saloons connected with the institution. 

Miss Church-Member would not have en- 
tered and much less indulged in the question- 
able beverages, had she not been so strongly 
influenced by the prolonged visit at the section 
of the group devoted to the study of “ Temperate 
and Intemperate Drinks.^^ 

I was sorely vexed at the operations of this 
whole college and, looking at Blackana, I said 
impatiently : 

“How can your comrades find delight in 
such an impish work — covering truth and scat- 
tering hellish sophistry abroad ?” 


204 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Delight?” repeated Blackana. “This world 
is but the Devil’s Heaven, and those in his king- 
dom find chiefest delight in thorns, and not in 
flowers ; in spinning sophistry, and not in dead 
things like truth and logic.” 


CHAPTER XV. 


Infenial School System. 


1. A general view of the vast Universitj of the 
World with all its subordinate operations. All work- 
ing in harmony to destroy the good that God would 
do in the world. 

University of the World is so exten- 
^1 sive that one could not visit all its parts 
during the course of a life-time, but 
there is a place called the Magic Observatory 
whence an observer can have a bird^s-eye view 
of all the principal scholastic operations of the 
Broad Highway. 

The Observatory is owned and controlled 
by careful agents of Satan who will allow only 
certain persons to get the benefit of so ex- 
tensive a view. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left 
the ground of the Temperance College and pro- 
ceeded to get permission to rise to the glorious 
heights of the Observatory. Mr. World se- 
cured permission, but his companion, not hav- 
ing had sufficient experience in the service of 
Satan, was refused a pass. 

205 


206 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

The difficulty was settled by a happy thought. 
Miss Church-Member suggested that while he 
should improve the opportunity and rise to see 
the sights, she would visit the College of Fash’ 
ions, for which privilege she had been yearn- 
ing. 

I saw that Mr. World spent a long time in 
viewing the endless proportions of the noted 
Observatory, and finally stood on the lofty view- 
point with an interpreter at his side. 

He was then directed to a seat on a mechan- 
ical device that moved in a circle ; and as he sat 
there he looked through the powerful glasses 
of the immense telescope. 

He first beheld the Schools of the Fine 
Arts, with their myriad students who swarmed 
through a group of buildings so large that it 
covered the first sweep of the telescope. 

At the next turn of the magic device Mr. 
World saw the Special Schools of Mathematics 
whose prevalent tendency was to destroy faith. 
Here the mind of each student was taught to 
submit everything to the tests of proof, so that 
by the time one’s training was finished he 
would believe only what could be scientifically 
demonstrated. In this way Satan induced 
many a student to disregard the Bible because 
he could not reduce all its teachings to the cold 
and rigid rules of human reasoning. 


INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. 207 

Thus does Satan manipulate affairs so 
that many of the Christian schools of the earth 
have imbibed a similar course: — first exalting 
Reason, and doing nothing to correspondingly 
develop in the student the functions of Faith. 

When the telescope again turned Mr. 
World saw the Schools of Metaphysics where 
Satan operated in harmony with the limitless 
scheme of the whole University. 

Next the College of Theology came within 
the range of vision. Here the clergymen of 
the Broad Highway are prepared to teach the 
doctrines of Hell under the guise of “Broad- 
Minded Theology.” I envied not Mr. World’s 
position, for I could also see what his wonder- 
ing eyes beheld. As I took a transient view of 
this vast group of Theological Halls, and saw 
how many human beings resorted hither for 
information, I could the better understand why 
the world is kept so full of perverted truth. 
There is a daily infiow of ecclesiastics into this 
College, even such as become dissatisfied with 
the Theology as taught on the Highway of the 
King. 

At the next turn of the telescope Mr. 
World saw the extensive Business College 
whither so large a number of merchants go to 
learn how to advertise, and also how to get 
rich quickly. One hall alone is set apart for 


208 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

the purpose of teaching a merchant how to 
practice fraud without injuring his good stand- 
ing in the church ; another hall teaches how 
far a business man may venture into prevari- 
cation without lying; while a still larger hall is 
devoted to the wholesale trade, and is intended 
to teach the best methods ot adulterating foods 
while yet allowing them to be sold for genuine 
goods. 

Mr. World was deeply interested in the 
view afforded by the next turn of the telescope, 
for the magnificent groups of buildings com- 
prising the College of Fashions now lay before 
his admiring vision. He knew that his beloved 
friend was somewhere amongst the moving 
throngs that ever kept the College astir. 

I looked in wonderment upon the far-reach- 
ing operations of this Satanic center. The 
teachings of this College were so far-reaching 
that the seeds of endless follies were planted 
in the generations yet unborn. 

In one of the larger halls of this imposing 
group I saw an endless and popular variety of the 
gods of Fashion. They were worshiped by the 
slavish legions who were willing to sacrifice 
their all rather than forsake their chosen idols. 

Mr. World plainly saw the connection be- 
tween this College of Fashions and the Devil 
Pawn Shop. 


INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. 209 

The next item in the weird program was 
the Devil’s Optical College which Mr. World and 
Miss Church-Member had visited in the earlier 
days of their companionship. Satan’s Medical 
Schools also lay in the same line of vision, and 
were intimately connected with the Devil’s Hos- 
pital which had numberless branches in all 
parts of the world. 

And next the vast College of Literature 
flashed before the admiring eyes of Mr. World. 
As seen through the telescope this section pre- 
sented a most beautiful picture. 

The surface Schools of Law next attracted 
the attention of the spectator who was sur- 
prised to get so large a view of these opera- 
tions. 

Mr. World still moved in the magic circle, 
and saw the whole program as revealed at the 
angle at which the telescope was inclined. 
When the first circle was completed, the tele- 
scope dropped to a new angle and started on 
its second revolution, disclosing to the observer 
a new world of schools, all of which were also 
comprehended in the University of the World. 

The Missionary College proved to be an in- 
teresting sight, as did also the Devil’s Temper- 
ance College. 

One of the most surprising sights that 
greeted Mr. World in this second revolution 


210 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

was Satan’s Modern College of Narcotics 
which is a series of schools built and operated 
with great care, intended to counteract the 
special efforts ever being put forth by the de- 
votees of the King’s Highway to teach the re- 
lations of narcotics to the nervous system. 
Formerly Satan did this branch of work in one 
of the wings of the Temperance College, but 
on account of the great stress put on this sub- 
ject by the Surpassing Schools of the Christ, 
Satan has built this modern institution, and 
now the church is in confusion because so many 
of its members have such an indistinct vision that 
they cannot discern between the wool of the sheep 
and the hair of the wolf even when eax^h animal is 
wearing its own hide. 

The most mysterious schools revealed by 
this second revolution were called the Schools 
of Emergency. These required the skill of the 
interpreters to give Mr. World an idea of their 
work. 

This is also a modern idea of the Evil One, 
and since their erection the schools have been 
patronized by an astonishingly large number 
of disappointed church-members who receive 
instruction more readily from the modern 
methods here in vogue than from the old-time 
system. 

Then did Mr. World behold a new hne of 


INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. 


211 


schools in course of erection, but the interpre- 
ter refused to give him satisfaction when he 
asked the purpose of these new schools. 

When the great telescope had finished the 
second revolution, Mr. World was surprised to 
see that it commenced on the third round as 
the outer end of the telescope pointed more 
directly toward the base of the Observatory. 

Startling scenes were now laid bare. The 
underground schools of this Great University 
seemed to be greater than the surface opera- 
tions. 

Mr. World first saw the Opium Schools, 
built in the form of large dens. After this 
came the Schools of Iniquity, operated in dark- 
ness. Here all forms of evil are taught and 
made to appear justifiable under certain condi- 
tions. Many of these underground schools 
could not be clearly seen by Mr. World, but 
ere the telescope completed its third revolution 
he saw the Schools of Suicide more distinctly 
than during his visit, and got a glimpse of the 
limitless Law Departments Underground, and 
the terrible pictures of sadness and sin as seen 
beneath the Devil’s Hospital. 

Mr. World raised his eyes from the tele- 
. scope and looked towards the interpreter. 
“What lies beyond those vast elevations?” he 


m MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


asked as he pointed to a rugged mountain 
range farther down the Broad Highway. 

“Back of those mountains lies the beauti- 
ful Wizard City, shut in from all the world. 
Ask nothing more about it. ” 

“But may I not enter it?” 

“Not unless you are fortunate enough to 
discover one of the paths that lead to the Sum- 
mit. From thence one can see the City. ” 


CHAPTER XVI. 


Expert Inventors of the Broad Highway. 

1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member fail to 
see the Ways and Means Committee at work. 

2. They are directed to the city where expert in- 
ventors are constantly employed in devising” weapons 
and all kinds of devices. 

3. They see a few inventions which are just being 
perfected to facilitate the services of the churches along 
the King’s Highway. 




PTER Mr. World’s remarkable experien- 
ces on the Observatory, he gladly called 
for his friend, Miss Church-Member, 
who accompanied him on another branch of the 
Mountain TroUey. 

They alighted at a station called Progress, 
and proceeded on the Broad Highway. Neither 
of them became wearied in listening to the ex- 
periences of the other during their brief 
separation. 

Ere long they came to a large haU which 
was used by the Ways and Means Committee of 
the Broad Highway. 

They obtained permission to visit the in- 
terior of the hall, hoping thereby to see the 
famous committee in session. 

213 


214 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

But, after being escorted from room to 
room by a guide, they were informed, upon 
reaching the main auditorium, that the com- 
mittee was holding a secret session, and that 
no visitors would be allowed to enter during 
that day. 

“How soon will visitors be admitted^’’ 
asked Mr. World, with a shade of disappoint- 
ment in his tone. 

“Not until the matter now under consider- 
ation is settled. It may be two hours, per- 
haps two days, ” was the indefinite reply. 

“And where can we spend the interim 
with most profit and interest?” further in- 
terrogated Mr. World. 

The guide, looking through a window, de- 
scribed a path leading to a lofty summit. 
“When you reach that elevation,” explained he, 
“you will see, in the busy vale beyond, the 
Wizard City. 

“ Most of the experiments performed in that 
wondrous vale are closed forever from the view 
of mortal man; but so much of the work as you 
are allowed to see will interest you for many 
days. ” 

“In my opinion such a privilege is greater 
than the one we are here denied, ” smilingly 
spoke Miss Church-Member. 

“True indeed, my friend, unless the climb- 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


215 


ing of the hill should prove to be a more ardu- 
ous task than you imagine, ” cautioned Mr, 
World. 

“Each of you will be pleasantly sur- 
prised, ” promptly affirmed the guide, “for 
they only can climb to that summit who do so 
willingly, and by them it is easily accom- 
plished. ” 

“ Is there no shorter way thither than by 
that winding path?” slowly asked Mr. World 

“There is but one shorter route, and that 
is underground. No one is permitted to go that 
way until he has passed the summit and has 
reached the seventh degree in the secret ser 
vice of our Master. ” 

“Ah! so there is an underground connec- 
tion between this place and the Expert Inven- 
tors ? ” said Miss Church-Member in a low 
tone, and with a look of suspicion. 

“Be not in the least alarmed. The Ways 
and Means Committee and the Expert Inven- 
tors work in harmony, each supplementing the 
work of the other. It is therefore essential 
that between them there be as close connection 
as possible, not only for convenience of travel, 
but for insuring secrecy. ” ^ 

“Then why are the two places so far 
apart ? ” queried Miss Church-Member. 

“Everything is perfectly arranged. If you 


216 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

could see the underground world between the 
two sites you would readily observe the logical 
relation of all parts. But the bell rings ; I 
must go, ” continued the guide. “If you wish 
further information you may obtain it at the 
office,’’ and with a courteous bow he withdrew. 

That same day I saw the two travelers 
climb with ease to the summit from whence 
they beheld the most curious sight that had 
yet met their gaze since their fellowship had 
begun. 

Down in the long and deep sloping vale be- 
fore them, shut in from all the world, lay 
a large city of fantastic structures. 

The weird outlines of this marvelous city 
extended downward into the darkness of the 
earth, while the height of its buildings varied 
from the common even unto the amazing. 

The form of the city, and the shape of its 
buildings, were the most bizarre features of 
aU. Only a few of the edifices bore resem- 
blance to any which the travelers had ever be- 
fore seen. 

Toward one end of the city they saw a 
cluster of buildings which, taken as a whole, 
resembled a gigantic tree towering to a great 
height and covered with strange foliage. 

At the other end of the city the structures 
were divided into more than a hundred groups, 









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The Wizard City. 

Here Satan’s expert inventors devise novelties for the use of churches, such as the 
Angelette” for choir singing, the “Service Regulator,” etc. 




EXPERT INVENTORS. 


219 


resembling somewhat variously-shaped balloons 
of monstrous size. 

The sides of the city were constructed 
somewhat after the manner of immense Ferris 
wheels, of amazing diameter. The compart- 
ments therein actually moved up or down ac- 
cording to the range of vision desired by the 
Inventors in their experimenting. 

The central part of the city was the most 
notable of all. Here, with an average diameter 
of ten hundred feet, rose a circular structure 
tapering irregularly until it settled to a point 
six thousand feet in the air. Around this, as 
a center, ranged terraces, hanging gardens, 
aerial boulevards, and spiral electric railways. 

After viewing this wonderful valley for 
many hours, the companions took one of the 
perfected automobiles and covered the long 
gradual descent to a depth of ten thousand feet 
perpendicular. 

As they neared the base, I looked at Black- 
ana, and asked : “How long have those Schools 
of Invention been in operation ? ” 

“ Since the creation of man. ’’ 

“What is the real purpose of their exist- 
ence ? ” 

“To invent devices and weapons helpful to 
our cause in peace or war, and more particu- 
larly to concoct new schemes for the use of the 


220 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

churches along the King’s Highway and the 
Way of the World. ” 

“Oh! that the earth might see all this foul 
inwardness, and discern aright the bland decep- 
tion with which those subtle plots are exe- 
cuted ! ” 

A Santanic smile covered the features of 
Blackana as he assured me that the earth does 
know of these things, and has known of them 
for ages, but is too well pleased with them to 
offer serious opposition. 

In disgust I turned from Blackana and 
saw that Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
had reached the suburbs of the Wizard City 
where they read this unexpected notice over a 
large brazen gate : 

None Admitted Except They to Whom 
THE Porter Openeth. 

“Ah! aU our toil may be in vain, ” sighed 
Miss Church-Member. 

They stood for a brief time in a quandary, 
discussing how one may know whether or not 
the Porter will open the gate. Finally the stal- 
wart Porter approached them and spoke : 
“With what motive and for what purpose would 
ye enter ? ” 

Mr. World, with native tact, was ready 
with an answer : “I am in fuU sympathy with 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


221 


the work done in this city and have with me 
my friend who is still a member of a church 
standing along the King’s Highway. ” 

The Porter advanced with graceful bearing 
and O bowed to Miss Church-Member. “Per- 
chance, ” said he, “you have come to receive 
some new ideas for the benefit of the church? ” 
“You have surmised it, ” she blushingly 
replied. “The church to which I belong is 
sadly behind the age in its methods of work. I 
am hoping 1 that the inventive genius of this 
city can give me some features new and attrac- 
tive, that I may, in my missionary work, help 
to introduce them into antiquated churches. ” 
“Yours is a worthy mission, ” politely said 
the Porter, “and I herewith hand you a card 
which will admit both of you into the depart- 
ment of the city, number seven hundred and 
seventy-seven. ” 

Instantly the gate fiew wide open, and the 
happy couple passed through joyfuUy. They 
walked by the many fairy-like buildings, clos- 
ing their eyes to all the special scenes so that 
they might give their first attention to the de- 
partment indicated by the Porter. 

With little difficulty they found the place 
desired, and handed the card to a curator who 
conducted them to the general manager. 

“I infer, by this card, ” said the manager, 


222 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“that you are hoping to find some new 
schemes to facilitate the work and service of 
the church. ” 

“That is our aim, ” answered Miss Church- 
Member. 

“ I am glad that you are so ambitious to 
keep apace with the times. In this marvelous 
age of mechanism all things are done by de- 
vices and machinery, and the church that 
would keep step with the spirit of progress 
must also be run by mechanism. The services 
of such a congregation should be controlled by 
a rigid methodical law, so that everything will 
move like clock-work. The church of to-day, 
in its movement towards form and ceremony, 
is approaching the highest laws of universal 
harmony. This hopeful tendency is most help- 
ful to the soul of man and most pleasing to 
God. ’’ 

“Just my idea exactly, ” chimed in Mr. 
World. “The churches along the King’s High- 
way are stubbornly fighting these modern im- 
provements. They are very slow in catching 
up with the spirit of the age. Does that not 
seem true. Miss Church-Member?” 

“I must confess I see it more clearly now 
than ever. Nature is run by unerring, un- 
changeable law ; why should not aU spiritual 
operations come under the same principle ? 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


223 


Formality, after all, is the highest point to be 
reached. ” 

“Your mind easily grasps the truth, I per- 
ceive, ” responded the manager. “What can 
bring things into better form than to get as 
much machinery as possible into church wor- 
ship? In this building a thousand experts are 
constantly employed in devising and perfecting 
mechanical arrangements to facilitate the ser- 
vices of the church. Perhaps you would be 
pleased to see some of the results of our work 
by passing through some of the sub-depart- 
ments ? ” 

“For my part,” rephed Miss Church- 
Member, “ I am more than passingly inter- 
ested in these things, and if Mr. World does, 
not object to accompany us, I will be grateful 
to improve this opportunity to look upon your 
work, ’ ’ 

After completing preliminary arrangements 
I saw the manager conduct his two visitors On 
the easy running elevator to the floor which 
was devoted especially to singing. 

“As it is your wish, ” said the manager 
“to see the latest, we will not tarry at these les- 
ser rooms, but proceed immediately to the cor- 
ner of the chief experts where I wiU be 
pleased to show to you the best novelty on 
this floor. ” 


224 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

They walked down the long room, passing 
on each side of the aisle one set of busy work- 
ers after another. They stopped at one of the 
far corners and beheld, in advance, the latest 
novelty to be used for singing in church ser- 
vice. 

It was an artificial woman, neatly attired 
and filled with a complicated mechanism so con- 
structed that when certain electric keys were 
touched by the unseen operator, articulate 
sounds like unto a human voice issued forth, 
while the expression of the whole face, and the 
natural-like heaving of the breast, all moved in 
harmony with the artificial sounds. The in- 
vention so much resembled a living creature of 
beauty that Miss Church-Member at first 
thought it was reaUy human. 

Mr. World was so weU pleased with the 
novelty that he unconsciously seated himself 
upon! a couch and looked on in amazement. The 
beauty of the female form attracted his atten- 
tion as much as the voice that pealed forth be- 
witchingly from the lips. 

“The greatest thing in the world ! ” he said 
after a period of ecstatic silence. “The church 
that gets such a singer into its choir wiU have 
a packed house at every service. ” 

“I never so much as dreamed of such a 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


225 


thing before. Have any of the churches yet 
tried the experiment?” wonderingly asked 
Miss Church-Member. 

“The time has not yet come, ” replied the 
manager. “Our experts have been perfecting 
this fine piece of mechanism for many years, 
but it is not yet quite satisfactory. We shall 
continue until it is well-nigh perfect. In the 
meantime we are trying to prepare the way so 
that the people wiU gladly receive such an ad- 
dition to their church machinery. It is our in- 
tention to be able to supply angelettes^ (for that 
is the name by which this invention will be 
known) of any si^e, and with apparel suitable 
fori any special or ordinary occasion of church 
worship. The angelette is to be so perfected 
that it wiU render vocal music without a break. 
That wiU be a happy day when people can wor- 
ship God without singing themselves hoarse or 
without being annoyed by the discords so prev- 
alent in congregational and choir singing and, 
moreover, have none of the evil effects that 
come from choir quarrels. ” 

“ I can plainly see, ” commented Miss 
Church-Member as they moved toward another 
floor, “that the church is only in the morning 
twilight of its progress. The wonders of to- 
day will pale into insignificance at the com- 
ing of the greater things. ” 


226 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

They dropped to a lower floor and stepped 
from the elevator. 

“This floor is devoted to the ^ Order of 
Church Service^ explained the manager. “It 
is indeed surprising to see what a variety of 
devices are here suggested to get the churches 
to pin themselves down to a fixed law of ser- 
vice in such a way that all else must bend to 
it or appear ridiculous. Some churches, claim- 
ing to be led by the Spirit, are constantly out 
of order. One cannot even imagine what is 
coming next. That is a foolish, haphazard way 
of conducting a rehgious service. We are do- 
ing all we can to correct these errors. I will 
take you at once to the expert’s room and let 
you see the latest piece of mechanism which 
we hope very soon to offer for public use. ” 

Far out in one end of the building I saw 
the three enter a room where men were busily 
engaged at work. 

“Will you kindly show these two visitors 
the workings of your new invention called the 
‘Service Kegulator, ’ ” requested the manager 
as he looked at the chief inventor. 

A large curtain was raised and there it 
hung. No larger than a family clock. The in- 
ventor opened a door of the Regulator, and 
carefully explained its works. He called their 
attention especially to a roU of blackboard 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


227 


canvas that passed from an upper to a lower 
cylinder when the Regulator was running. 

I heard the inventor, in explaining, use 
these words: “The minister arranges the 
program in advance and then marks the whole 
order of service on the canvas roll, allowing 
as much time for each part of the service as he 
thinks proper. The canvas is then replaced 
and the Regulator hung on the wall. When the 
minute comes to commence services, the Regu- 
lator is wound with a key and it starts to run. 
The canvas, in passing down at a fixed rate, in- 
forms the congregation of every change in the 
service, just as it had been previously plan- 
ned. ” 

“Wliat think you of it?” asked the man- 
ager, after the partial explanation. 

“I do not beheve that the church of the 
King’s Highway to which I belong could use it. 
It would tend only to confusion, ” said Miss 
Church-Member. 

“Only till they become accustomed to it, ” 
explained the inventor. “After a few weeks of 
use its value would be demonstrated. Then 
the congregation would not part with it under 
any consideration. You see. Miss Church- 
Member, ” he continued as he offered them 
easy chairs, “there would be a definite time to 


228 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

close the service. The Regulator would move 
with the precision of a clock, and nobody would 
complain about the preacher speaking too long, 
for he would stop at a fixed time. It is so 
arranged that a little beU rings five minutes in 
advance of the time to stop preaching. It is 
sometimes a great satisfaction for the hearer to 
know when the sermon is nearly ended, and 
the Regulator would be a blessed boon to some 
preachers who find it difficult to stop talking 
after they get ‘warmed up, ’ as they call it. 

“How beautiful the thought that the bells 
of the Regulator would call the congregation 
to prayer, and a beU bid the time to change the 
devotion from prayer to song. You must not 
forget that this device is intended to educate 
the minister, choir, and congregation to a fine 
degree of accuracy in all their public devotions. 
See what opportunity this device offers for the 
display of ingenuity and tact on the part of a 
minister ! He can, on the blank spaces, have 
a few pictures drawn. These wiU be interesting 
to children who cannot comprehend his ser- 
mon, or to an adult who loses the thread of the 
discourse. Does it not seem like a good thing 
for the church?” he asked, as he turned his 
gaze upon Miss Church-Member. 

“It seems more and more that way, and no- 
doubt it will prove helpful if it gets a fair triaL 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


229 


How does it suit your fancy?” she inquired of 
Mr. World. 

“It seems to me that aU churches who 
know a good thing when they see it will get it 
at any cost. It just meets my idea exactly. I 
like to see things done decently and in order in 
the church. It always makes me nervous to 
get into a church where enthusiasm runs away 
with the meeting. It makes me feel somewhat 
as if I were in a trolley car that is running 
down grade while the motor-man has lost con- 
trol of the brakes. It makes it uncomfort- 
able to stay or to run. ” 

“Have any of the churches introduced this 
novelty yet?” inquired Miss Church-Member. 

“None as yet. We are waiting for certain 
developments before placing this device on the 
market. The agents of our Secret Service will 
inform us when the time is ripe.” 

The manager then offered to conduct them 
to another floor which was devoted to the inter- 
ests of the Prayer Meeting, but Miss Church- 
Member, having lost her interest in such kind 
of services, expressed a desire to visit some 
other part of the city. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


The Wizard City. 


1. The weird city of inventors described. 

2. Its ultimate overthrow predicted in a realistic 
climax. 


^ SAW that Miss Church- Member was 
Qy anxious to visit the vast tower in the 
central part of the city. So Mr. World, 
in deference to her wishes, and agreeably to 
his own desires, escorted her in that direction. 

Standing away at some distance, they were 
soon gazing upward at the awe-inspiring spec- 
tacle. Its grandeur and proportions now ap- 
peared to be greatly increased. 

They could see, with more distinctness, 
circling around the massive wizard cone, the 
aerial boulevards, ever alive vTith private convey- 
ances, and the troUey cars each carrying a 
variety of passengers. 

“WiU you accompany me on the trolley to 
the first series of hangings gardens?” cheerily 
invited Mr. World. 

“If we are permitted, and you think it 
safe to ascend,” she answered in a tremulous 
voice. 


230 


THE WIZARD CITY. 


231 


He calmed her fears and led her to the 
central passenger room at the base of the tower. 
Here they saw a system of interior elevators 
carrying throngs of people to the numerous 
stations between the base and the highest dizzy 
view-point. 

Leading off to the right ran the double 
trolley system, and to the left the equally wide 
boulevard, each on the exterior of the massive 
tower. 

I saw the obliging Mr. World, with more 
than usual courtesy, conduct his friend to a 
seat on a trolley car bound for the -aerial gar- 
dens. 

The ascent was smooth and afforded de- 
lightful opportunities to view, at every desir- 
able angle, the surrounding city and its sub- 
urbs. 

“This is the most exhilarating ride of my 
life!” triumphantly cried Miss Church-Member 
as they circled higher and higher so gradually 
that more than ten miles were traveled ere the 
objective point was reached one thousand feet 
from the base. 

Here lay the variety gardens, suspended 
from the rigid side of the tower by a feat of 
architectural engineering surpassing anything 
in the natural world. 

Around the gardens the boulevards and the 


232 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

trolley lines circled horizontally, and also passed 
through some of the huge corridors which, on 
this level, diverge from the interior elevators 
toward the exterior gardens. 

When the trolley car reached this height 
Miss Church-Member at once fixed her eyes 
on the ponderous pillars on each side of the con- 
verging corridors, for she knew that more than 
four thousand feet of the tower ’s amazing weight 
rested on these defiant granites. 

Mr. World and his pleasing friend mean- 
dered amongst the multitude from one to an- 
other of the hanging gardens, drinking in all 
the vain glories that this aerial world afforded. 
At last, wearied by the endless succession of 
extraordinary sights, they stole away to a quiet 
retreat on the outer edge of a garden farthest 
from the tower’s center. Keclining in ham- 
mocks, they conversed of all the greatness of 
the world. 

Looking upward they saw, fifteen hundred 
feet above them, the next series of hanging 
gardens ; and during the lull in the music near 
by, they caught the strains falling from the 
upper orchestras like music from Heaven. 

“Will you go with me still higher to taste 
the sweetness of a more ethereal level?’ 

Intoxicated with the charms already felt. 
Miss Church- Member was ready for any height. 


THE WIZARD CITY. 


233 


Upward they went on the venturesome trol- 
ley, admiring the phenomenal ride and the 
scenery it opened to their view in panoramic 
splendor. Their course wound round and round 
until they came to the horizontal circle twenty- 
five hundred feet above the base. 

This was a place of more refinement and 
beauty. The touch of the finer artists was seen 
in all the arrangement and style of the terraces 
and hanging gardens, but especially in the rich 
variety of flowers and plants that added their 
wealth to the novel combinations. 

Mr. World carefully guarded his much es- 
teemed friend during their sight-seeing from 
garden to garden, for at times they encoun- 
tered throngs of people. 

I saw them eventually seek rest on rustic 
chairs where their conversation deepened into 
the relations they sustained one to the other, 
succeeded at last by a tender, thoughtful si- 
lence. 

In the midst of their reveries they noticed 
a little spider, swinging on its silken thread, 
floating in the air between them. 

“You rude little creature! Why do you 
come, at such a time, between my friend and 
me?’’ said Miss Church-Member in a half 
humorous mood. 

“It may be for a purpose, dear. Perhaps 


234 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


the little insect poses here to remind us that 
we can never escape the foe that seeks to sepa- 
rate us.” 

“Quite an ingenious explanation,” she said 
with deepening seriousness. “But who is that 
lurking foe who seeks our separation?” 

“ ’Tis better to learn to know your enemies 
than to be told of them. Hence look through 
your eyes askance.” 

Just at this instant Miss Church-Member 
raised her hand and caught the little intruder, 
placing it alive into a locket which she had se- 
cretly carried ever since she had visited the 
Pawn Shop. 

“What can be the meaning of that?” 
queried Mr. World as he saw, through the 
glass of the little lid, the struggling insect. 

“So may it be to any foe that seeks to 
separate us,” she explained. 

“Then let me carry the locket,” he sug- 
gested. “You have captured the foe; allow 
me to keep him imprisoned.” 

There was a happy exchange of glances as 
she pressed the little prison into his hand. 
“It is yours forever,” she pledged under the 
sway of her rising emotions. 

And he, accepting it with a warm heart, 
spoke thus in glowing words: “I accept the 
endless task and also pledge to the utmost of 


THE WIZARD CITY. 


236 


my power to keep any foe imprisoned that 
seeks to rob your life of any passing happi- 
ness.” 

“Shall we go still higher?” he soon asked 
as he fixed his eyes on the dizzy terraces two 
thousand feet above them. 

“In your presence I fear no height,” was 
her confiding response. 

The troUey cars ascended no higher, so 
they proceeded to the interior elevators. But 
they were told that no visitors were allowed 
above that point — that privilege being reserved 
alone for the inventors. 

“Are we permitted to visit the interior 
apartments of this tower, even below us?” 
asked Mr. World wistfully. 

“They are aU doubly sealed. No one but 
an expert inventor, true and tried in our mas- 
ter’s service, ever passes through these secret 
chambers. ” 

“May we know what particular branch of 
work is done in this tower?” 

“It is devoted alone to the invention and 
testing of weapons of warfare for the armies 
of our master, especially for the sharp-shoot- 
ers stationed along the so-called King’s High- 
way.” 

Miss Church-Member trembled at this an- 
nouncement and urged Mr. World to conduct 


236 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

her to the base of the tower that they might 
visit other parts of the city. 

******* 

As I was looking at all these things, a flash 
of light, coming from one side, blinded my vis- 
ion, and as I turned I saw a heavenly messen- 
;ger in a blaze of glory. 

“Hither, hither ! ” beckoned the sweet-faced 
langel. 

I was instantly at his side without effort, 
^except an act of volition. He transported 
me almost instantaneously to the apex of the 
great tower in the Wizard City. 

There I stood without fear under the sweet 
charms of my angel guide who floated gently 
..about me in the air. 

“O mortal man,” calmly spoke the angel, 
“thou shalt now be privileged, for a brief 
space of time, to gaze upon this Wizard City 
as angels do. Thy memory shall be strength- 
ened so that thou shalt not forget the vision 
of these carnal things. ” 

Then, in a manner surpassing all things hu- 
man, scales fell from my eyes, and I was struck 
with horror at the awful sight that lay before 
me. 

“Look thou first into the interior of this 
tower,” bade the angel, as he pointed down- 
ward. 


THE WIZARD CITY. 


237 


All things were open to my view, and I 
saw many of the bright geniuses of the world 
in league with the imps of darkness, all busily 
engaged in the secret service of Satan. 

I saw how Satan used the ingenuity of mart 
to carry forward his infamous schemes. In- 
stead of the old rifles used in the earher days 
of Christianity I saw in this tower almost num- 
berless kinds of fatal weapons which send forth 
their poisonous and deadly discharges without 
smoke or sound, so that the wounded, not know- 
ing whence the missiles come, might imagine 
that they were smitten of God. 

The angel informed me that every year 
this fiendish tower puts out into the hands of 
its agents many new devices, either for poison- 
ing or wounding the disciples who travel on 
the King’s Highway, and who by any kind of 
neghgence come within reach of Satan’s forces. 

“Seestthou, ” continued my guide, “with, 
what cunning Satan hath builded this tower? 
By its exterior beauty he gaineth the confi- 
dence of the unwary, and thus winneth count- 
less thousands to his cause. And seest thon 
the depth to which it reaches, not six thou- 
sand feet below us, but ten times six thou- 
sand feet, into the bowels of the earth?” 

Then could I see, at a glance, the whole 
under-ground dominions stretching their bor- 


238 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ders far, wide, and deep. There was a small 
empire of groveling imps, each bent on the 
work of his particular branch. 

“Look thou now into the apartments of 
those ponderous wheels,” directed my glori- 
ous guide. 

Neither metal nor granite obstructed my 
vision. I saw delicate and complex machin- 
ery, and half-human creatures in league with 
mortal man, all bending to their tasks. 

“They aU work in league with the Devil’s 
Optical College. The inventive genius of Hell 
hath contrived, in these graded departments, 
all the modern lenses that are so terribly 
warping the vision of an alarming number in 
the church and the world. 

“And seest thou,” continued the angel, as 
he pointed to a far section of the city, “those 
inventors plying their ingenuity in behalf of 
Satan’s Medical Colleges and Hospitals ? 

“And also witness, in^ that nearer section, 
the viler groups at work inventing snares and 
traps for Satan’s allies to use in catching Heav- 
en-bound pilgrims. 

“Also behold, ” he continued, turning to 
another part of the city, “ that special class of 
geniuses who work for Satan’s general emissa- 
ries as they journey far and wide to do exploits. 


THE WIZARD CITY. 


239 


How terribly they influence the weaker ser- 
vants of our King!” 

Then I stood gazing, as the angel continued 
his intrepreting, until I had seen the foul work- 
ings of this whole city. 

I was so filled with a mixture of grief 
and indignation that I cried out in painful 
anguish: “Why does not God send thunder- 
bolts from his eternal throne, and smite this 
city to fragments?” 

Then the sweet angel calmly answered : 
“Not until the worm ceaseth to crawl, and 
thistles no more infest the ground. Till then 
the patience of God endureth and his sun- 
shine falleth on the temples of Virtue and 
of Vice. ” 

“And what comes at the end of patience?” 

“Then shall the taint of sin be purged from 
the earth, for every temple and pest-hole of Sa- 
tan, including this whole Wizard City, will be 
oonsumed by an awful fire whose lurid light 
will glimmer long after the metals and granites 
of this great Tower shall have been reduced 
to ashes amidst the general ruin. ” 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


The Festival, 


1. The whole scheme of merchandising in the: 
church is laid bare as Satan explains the origin of 
the word “Festival. ” 


/ROOKING once again through the open 
y door, I saw that Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member, after leaving the Wiz- 
ard City, had gained admission to the audito- 
rium where the Ways and Means Committee 
was in session. 

Miss Church-Member at once retired to the 
waiting-room in the rear, and sat quietly perus- 
ing a book while her companion remained im 
the large haU and hstened to the proceedings. 

An agent of Satan occupied the chair. He 
was dressed in pleasing costume, and con- 
trolled the assemblage with parliamentary dig- 
nity. 

When Mr. World took a seat the large com- 
mittee was engaged in a warm debate over a 
certain piece of ground occupying a space mid- 
way between the King’s Highway and the 
Broad Highway. This eligible site had been 
used for holding church-festivals to raise funds, 
for the maintenance of gospel work. 

240 


THE FESTIVAL. 


241 


A few wealthy friends of Satan wanted this 
location to erect on it a club-house wherein 
they might revel and carouse as they wished. 

The question arose among the members of 
the committee as to which of the two uses 
would best [subserve the purpose of their 
master who held a claim on the land. 

The chairman arose, after listening to the 
arguments at length, and addressed the audi- 
ence with great coolness and deliberation : 
“Most worthy members of this committee, ” 
commenced he, “you have spoken many words 
of truth this day. Your interest in this mat- 
ter only shows your loyalty to our cause. 

* Club-House or Festival ? ’ that is the question. 
Surely we cannot dispense with either, but 
rather must we maintain both at any cost. As 
for this place in question, I am decidedly in 
favor of holding it for the use of the church. 
The Club-House will find a location elsewhere, 
but this ground is so favorably situated for 
church-merchandising that I urge you to hold 
it for such purposes. Have we not seen how 
eagerly the two classes mingle here? This 
place, being so accessible to all parties, makes 
it possible for the church to gather larger num- 
bers and thereby reap greater financial results 
—which is the principal object of the church in 
holding these delightful affairs. Since the 


242 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


church is well supplied with everything it 
needs except money, let us do it a favor by 
rendering some assistance in that direction. 
Then we may reasonably expect that the 
church will, in return, do us a favor by being 
less hostile to our methods of operation^ 
which, as you will admit, are highly honor- 
able.” 

This speech had the desired effect. A reso- 
lution was quickly passed in harmony with the 
opinion of the chairman. 

The curiosity of Mr. World was now satis- 
fied, for he had seen this famous committee in 
session. Therefore he repaired to the waiting- 
room, and while conducting Miss Church-Mem- 
ber from the building their attention was 
arrested by this announcement written in bold 
letters near the exit : 

Any One Wishing Refreshments Can Find 
Them at the Festival on the Church 
Grounds. 

“How does that announcement suit you?” 
interrogated Mr. World. 

“It comes at an opportune time, ” she 
answered, her face brightening. “I had been 
hoping that we might soon have lunch. ” 

They had gone but a few steps from the 
door when they heard cheery voices and strains, 





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The Festival. 

Here the Church receives money for souls from the Devil, while the Devil 
gets souls for money from the Church. 



THE FESTIVAL. 


245 


of music lending attractive life to the festival. 
Urged on by the thought of a pleasant hour, 
they quickened their pace unconsciously and 
were soon within sight of the grounds. 

I saw the multitude gathering in the 
grove. The mingling of the church and the 
world was so complete that one could scarcely 
tell from which path many had come. 

On this intervening ground everything ap- 
pealed to the appetite, and the patrons knew 
that the more they ate or purchased the 
greater would be the success of the festival. 
Therefore some ate even unto gluttony for the 
benefit of the church, while the agents of Satan 
with skillful aim were sending poisoned ar- 
rows into the heart of true benevolence, and al- 
so endeavoring to arrest the minds of Chris- 
tians so that they might pursue the Broader 
Path after their routine at the festival was 
•ended. 

Thus I saw, faUing into the coffers of the 
■church, filthy lucre not sanctified by prayer or 
sacrifice, and from this seed the church hoped 
to reap a holy harvest. 

Mr. World and his companion spent a de- 
lightful season with the company and, thanks 
to Mr. World’s plethoric purse, proved them- 
selves pleasingly generous in their patronage. 
Finally Miss Church-Member excused herself 


246 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

from Mr. World and joined a company of young* 
ladies who were engaged in joyous pleasures. 

Mr. World, now alone, was walking lei- 
surely about the grounds when Satan appeared 
and sauntered at his side. “Are you not fear- 
ful,” asked Mr. World in the midst of a con- 
versation, “that many of your subjects will be 
led into the Narrow Path by tarrying at this 
place and associating with so many Chris- 
tians ? ” 

“Not in the least, ” he rephed, “for at. 
such places as this I gain more subjects thart 
I lose. ' So I expect to encourage forever sa- 
cred-merchandising all along my route. The- 
churches are glad to use this ground even 
though it belongs to me, for I concede to them 
aU the money. Naturally I prefer souls to- 
money. ” 

“How did this word ‘festival’ originate?” 
queried Mr. World after a brief pause in the 
conversation. 

“With pleasure I will explain. Once upon 
a time I called together my generals to deter- 
mine upon new methods of winning converts, 
to our cause, and promised to confer upon the* 
one who should suggest the best plan, the 
honorable title ‘Fast Devil. ’ 

“A long intermission was granted to give 
my aids time to use their ingenuity in plan- 


THE FESTIVAL. 


247 


ning. All Hell was filled with students, each 
one striving to win the title. 

“At a given signal my cohorts re-assem- 
bled. Thus before me lay a vast army of anx- 
ious faces. I gave each one, who desired, an 
opportunity to speak. The sun revolved on his 
axis seven times ere the argument was finished. 
During this debate there was comparative peace 
on earth. ” 

“Pray tell me, ” further asked Mr. World, 
“What was the trend of their suggestions?” 

“I could relate it all, for I have every 
word recorded, but I shall not weary you. ” 
“But at least give me a general idea. ” 
“Willingly. One of my generals arose and 
said : ‘We can change some of our tactics with- 
out loss to our cause. The sword and torture 
only strengthen our enemies. We should re- 
sort more to the ‘ wolf-in-sheep^s-clothing method. ’ 
“He could speak no more. A thundering 
sound of voices drowned his utterances. Thou- 
sands of my loyal leaders seconded his plans. 

“At last one of the speakers, who indeed 
won the prize, earnestly proposed a grand 
scheme, and the vast multitudes listened with 
rapt attention. His speech was short but fiery, 
and, rising to the occasion, he demanded that 
all his comrades should unite to destroy the 
simple voluntary spirit of Christian benevo- 


248 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

lence so that the church might go begging be- 
fore the world and even resort to all manner of 
mercantile business for its support. The 
speaker declared that if the church could be in- 
duced to adopt such measures it would tend to 
divert her mind from interfering with the 
work to which he and his auditors were all 
loyally pledged. 

“This speech had a marvelous effect, and 
there was a deafening roar of voices in the ap- 
plause which continued for a long space of 
time. 

“Then followed an animated discussion in 
which a host of trusted leaders engaged. Each 
one commented on the winning speech and 
offered suggestions how to awaken a trading 
interest in the church. It was conceded that 
first of all the church must feel the necessity 
of resorting to business. Accordingly a large 
committee was appointed to work systematic- 
ally amongst the churches on earth, inducing 
their members to depart from the customs of 
the early church. 

“This committee did yeoman service and 
shrewdly prepared the way for the more com- 
plete work in harmony with the views of Past 
Devil. Through the ages it succeeded in gradu- 
ally influencing the church to engage in all man- 
ner of performances and trading schemes to 


THE FESTIVAL, 


24& 


gain support. The work of this committee is 
not yet at an end, for nearly every week we 
hear of some innovation which has crept into 
the church, or some new form of merchandis- 
ing into which it has fortunately entered. 

“It is indeed gratifying that the church is 
casting off her unsightly spiritual robe and put- 
ting on the costume of merriment and trade. I 
hope the day will soon come when the church 
will have stiU less of the spiritual nonsense and 
more of these up-to-date methods to secure 
funds for its support. ” 

As Satan spoke his last words he bid a brief 
adieu to Mr. World and hastened away to the 
side of a young man who was almost persuaded 
to yield to some elevating influence. I sud- 
denly looked at Blackana whose presence I had 
well-nigh forgotten. 

“Have you been taking your ease in sleep? “ 
I asked as an involuntary shudder shook my 
frame. 

“I never sleep. Suns may wax and wane, 
nations rise and faU, peoples live and die, but 
I am awake forever. ” 

“Did you hear the conversation between 
Satan and Mr. World?” 

“Every word of it.” 

“Were you present when Satan held that 
great convocation to devise plans for more ef&- 


250 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

cient work against the church of Jesus Christ 
on earth? ” 

“ I attended every session. ” 

“And did you hear the speech of Fast 
Devil? ” 

“I heard every word. ” 

“And did Satan give to Mr. World a true 
account of the address ? ” 

“He gave only a condensed and garbled 
rendering of it. ” 

“Then I command you, O Blackana, to give 
me a full reproduction of Fast Devil’s speech 
as far as you are able to translate the language 
of Hell into words that are intelligible to me. 
Can you remember each thought?” 

“ I must remember, for I have not the 
power to forget, ” and Blackana groaned aloud. 
“ Oh, that I could bury in obhvion the myriad 
thoughts that sting me with remorse!” He 
paused a moment. “Am I to give you the 
whole speech as Fast Devil delivered it orig- 
inaUy?” 

“Thought for thought, and gesture for 
gesture, ” I answered with authority. 

Ere the last syllable feU from my lips 
Blackana was suddenly transformed into a 
more terrifying creature than he was himself. 
I was paralyzed at the sight of the weird mon- 


THE FESTIVAL. 


251 


ster which I learned was the image of Fast 
Devil. 

There he stood, tall and erect, seven times 
the height of man, with sinews like iron-rope 
and with a face defying human description. 
His eyes were fiery with life, and determina- 
tion marked every movement as he stepped 
forward to speak. 

Notwithstanding my consciousness of be- 
ing sustained by supernatural power, I trem- 
bled as Blackana reproduced this noted speech 
of Fast Devil : 

“Most honored chief and glorious master,” 
he commenced, “be thou indulgent as I speak 
to thee and unto these my comrades who lie in 
anxious posture over this vast expanse of Hell. 
I am here to state an issue of which we have 
heard mur mu rings for many an age. To pre- 
pare for this hour I have taxed my ingenuity 
to its utmost. ” 

Then with striking gestures of his awful 
arms he passionately continued: “Hope is no 
more crushed within me as I view the wide and 
measureless field of our possibilities, for I see 
empires within our reach if we but cease brood- 
ing over our dismal past and let this bright 
prospect kindle its flames within us. What 
spur need we to move us on but to look up and 


262 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

see the resplendent regions whence we fell, till 
hatred starts afresh within our beings and 
our every passion moves to its control. ** 

With an outward swing of his great right 
arm he asked in strong appealing tones: “How 
can we best succeed against the church in 
which our enemy glories so unceasingly ? What 
inroads can we make? In what manner shall 
we advance?” 

He vigorously seized a book. “Here is a 
Bible, borrowed from a saint. I turned its 
pages over and over that I might learn what 
pained the heart of Christ most grievously, 
vexing his inmost soul with indignation. What 
was it?” vociferously interrogated Fast Devil 
as he flung the book to the scorching winds of 
Hell. “ ’Twas that which hindered the cause of 
Christ most efficiently — prostituting the house of 
God to worldly purposes. Have we forgotten the 
vehemence with which this arch-enemy drove 
the money kings from His sacred abode, saying 
unto them: ‘My house is a house of prayer, 
but ye have made it a den of thieves, ’ and how 
we like sneaking cowards crawled away, and 
thus our glorious scheme went by default ? ” 

Then Blackana uttered his final appeal 
with aU the swing of his mighty body and the 
low vibrant thunder of his voice. “ Back to 
your forts ! Oh, back ! ye dormant hosts 


THE FESTIVAL. 


253 


around me ! Not in the strength of arms, but 
with the subtlest webs that Hell can weave, 
and with the snares of silent treachery. We 
need no stronger weapons, and for our dress 
we will don sheep’s clothing of the finest wool. 
Thus who amongst the church can tell that 
we are not seeking her highest good ? Then 
as we strike at the heart of voluntary offering in the 
church, so shall we kill the spirit that gives it birth. 
The carcass of this dead spirit unburied we shall 
drag through the church for ages, and the germs of 
disease arising therefrom will bring more death in- 
to the ranks of our foes than all our weapons of 
warfare ever did. ” 

Blackana instantly resumed his former 
shape, and “while I was musing the fire 
burned. ” I then looked out toward the festi- 
val ground and saw that Satan had returned to 
Mr. World and was explaining to him how help- 
ful these festivals were to Christians. 

“Aside from the moral and religious influ- 
ence, ” he remarked, “how could the church 
defray her expenses if she did not engage in 
some innocent forms of merchandising, or use 
some novel scheme to decoy money from her 
admirers. Surely there can be no better 
way, ” continued the Devil with an unholy grin. 
“If the church would maintain her honor be- 
fore the world, she must not do differently. I 


264 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

am satisfied if only the old way of voluntary giving 
is more and more discarded hy the church. ” 

“But you began your former recital, ” re- 
minded Mr. World, “to inform me how the 
word ‘Festival’ originated. You have not yet 
succeeded in making it clear to me. ” 

“It originated from the phrase of honor 
which was given the prize-winner. Fast Devil, 
but we changed the wording somewhat so that 
it might not seem obnoxious to the church. ” 
Then, by a peculiar method of concrete 
marking, Satan continued : “The following is 
the process of development from the phrase 
to the word : ‘ Fast Devil ; ’ ‘ Fest Evil ; ’ ‘ FES- 
TIVAL. ’ ” 


CHAPTER XIX. 


The Missionary College. 


1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member visit the 
great college and are strongly influenced in favor of 
Satan’s teachings concerning missionary work. 


fellowship of Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member grew increasingly de- 
lightful as they journeyed forth from 
the Festival. In their company were a few 
church-members who had also enjoyed the 
physical pleasures of the Festival and who pre- 
ferred to reach Heaven by the most convenient 
path. 

The merry band of companions soon reached 
a certain Missionary Station which was con- 
trolled by pilgrims from the King’s Highway. 
The travelers were all very much amused at 
seeing tracts and other pieces of literature 
scattered over the Highway in front of the sta- 
tion. 


“How much one can get for nothing!” 
sneeringly remarked Mr. Bigot, as he pointed 
to the literature strewn across the way. 

“Surely there can be no harm in looking 
at such pieces of paper, ” said Mrs. Lucre-Love 
as she lifted a booklet from the path and co-m- 
menced a quiet perusal of it. 

255 


256 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“And what is it all about?” queried an- 
other who saw the eyes of Mrs. Lucre-Love 
fixed intently on the pamphlet. 

“Oh, it is nothing new! Only the old 
monotonous story of the heathen, followed by 
the usual appeal for funds. Evidently it is 
some sharper’s scheme to rob the people of 
their money. ” 

Mr. World was near enough to hear her 
answer and with evident disgust he asked : 
“Where can one get reliable information on 
this subject, anyhow?” 

“At one of the Missionary Colleges, of 
Course, ” answered two or three in unison. 
“Yes, and I know from past experience that 
you will soon be at one. This station and this 
literature is all the evidence we need, ” added 
Mrs. Lucre-Love. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member thence 
walked alone and soon beheld the great Mis- 
sionary College whose higher domes kissed the 
lower clouds of heaven. 

“Surely some great missionary enthusiast 
must have erected these edifices, ” said Miss 
Church-Member as they were turning to enter 
the section devoted to Home Missionary Work. 

The entrance ways were so crowded with 
students and visitors that Mr. World escorted 
his companion with difficulty to the plaza to- 


THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE, 25T 

ward which the twenty -one halls of this section 
converged. 

The view of this part of the College from 
the plaza was at once beautiful and inspiring. 

Hall No. 4 was the first place they decided 
to enter. Over the door these words were 
hung : 

Home Mission Work Financially 
Considered. 

Having reached the interior, Miss Church- 
Member, in particular, was surprised to see the 
many busy thousands in the large rooms of the 
hall, and to note with what carefulness every 
item of expense was kept of all the Home Mis- 
sion Work of the world. 

Then they sought the main lecture-room 
whose large seating capacity was already well 
taken with a motley crowd of students and vis- 
itors. 

The lecturer was a woman of shrewd ap- 
pearance. Her face was void of sympathy and 
her voice somewhat masculine. Her address 
was over one-half finished when the two com- 
panions entered. They listened carefully to 
her words which were in part as follows : 

“We are not to worship money, yet we are 
to guard against squandering it. The person 
who wastes one dollar sets a bad example to 
others and brings injury to himself. Woman is 


258 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

criticized for wastefulness in dress. I stand 
here to defend her, not because she is altogether 
innocent, but because her accusers are equally 
guilty in the same and in other directions. The 
money wasted in Home Missionary Work would 
feed the starving of all the world. Where does 
this money come from ? The greater part of it 
comes from the purses of those who are bur- 
dened with all manner of financial obligations 
What right have such people to rob others of 
their dues in order to support Home Mission 
Work? O, that the time may soon come when 
consistency will be manifested, and so much 
money no longer wasted in this sentimental 
manner ! ” 

The speaker proceeded, but the interest of 
the two listeners was flagging ; so they quietly 
left the room. 

They next entered Hall No. 17, devoted to 
“ The Results of Home Missionary Work. ” But 
after remaining a very short time Miss Church- 
Member declared that she was interested more 
directly in Foreign Missionary Work. 

In deference to her wishes he at once ac- 
companied her to the second section of the 
Missionary College, which was much larger 
than the first. Miss Church-Member led the 
way into one of the large halls where Satan^ 
through his agents, gave special instruction 


THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. 


269 


concerning “ The Condition of the Heathen. ” They 
listened to four speakers from whose brief ad- 
dresses they received food for thought. 

The first speaker expounded the theory 
that Ignorance is Bliss^ ” and declared that 
the heathen were happy and comfortable in 
their present condition. 

The second lecturer argued, at greater 
length, that the heathen were free from all re- 
sponsibility as long as they were left alone, 
and that if God held them accountable, then 
their vague worship answered for a good con- 
science, and therefore they would reach Heaven 
by a simpler path. 

The third speaker declared that the hea- 
then were now as God had made them, and 
therefore just as they should be. To estab- 
lish this theory he used garbled arguments of 
predestination. 

The fourth assured the audience that the 
heathen, in due order, would rise to loftier con- 
ceptions by the same natural processes as the 
civilized peoples of to-day have risen from their 
rude primitive conditions. 

After examining some heathen relics the 
two companions spent some time near-by in a 
haU of the same section devoted to “ The Effects 
of the Gospel on the Heathen. ’’ 

Its teachers were very emphatic in their 


260 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

utterances. They affirmed that the Gospel did 
not benefit the heathen, except that it brought 
to them civilization with all its attendant re- 
sponsibilities and vices. 

One lecturer to whom they listened was 
very fiery. In a scathing manner the speaker 
pronounced censure on the Christian church 
for her ill-advised policy in Foreign Missionary 
Work. 

Mr. World and his close friend left the sec- 
ond section of the College without pausing to 
visit the recitation rooms where Satan’s Mis- 
sionary Experts were constantly teaching 
graded classes. In a few moments they en- 
tered the largest edifice of the Missionary Col- 
lege which was erected for the special purpose 
of teaching “ The Comparative Need of Home and 
Foreign Missionary Work. ” 

Upon entering, Miss Church-Member was 
surprised at the interior arrangements of the 
rooms and the exceptional beauty of their 
finish. 

After a much needed rest in one of the 
sub-departments, they went to one of the higher 
floors, hoping to hear another lecture on some 
missionary theme. 

Mr. World smiled as they entered the room 
and saw that a woman occupied the platform. 


THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. 


261 


In a jovial manner he remarked that “women 
must be the best missionary orators. ” 

The speaker was keen-eyed and shrewd, 
and well knew how to use sophistry in pathos 
and wit. She expounded to the audience the 
doctrine of Satan under whose service she was 
pledged to loyalty 

“We are all missionaries, ” she commenced, 
“and cannot escape the responsibility which is 
imposed upon us. Our duty is imperative. We 
stand at the open door of opportunity and en- 
ter so slowly into the fields of work all around 
us. When one sees rank bigotry and narrow- 
mindedness on every hand, he feels like blush- 
ing that he ever sent money to convert the 
heathen in far-away lands. The heathen at our 
own doors are more blood-thirsty than the 
cannibals of distant climes. I appeal to you all, 
noble women especially, to rid your minds of 
the fallacy of foreign work and do the foreign 
work at home, even inside your own doors. 
( Applause, principally among the men, in which 
Mr. World heartily joined. ) I must confess 
that, at one time, I was almost overcome by 
this craze of evangelizing the world. My de- 
lusion went so far that I could see visions of 
China, Africa, or the remote islands of the sea, 
and even imagine that I heard voices calling 
me thither. One night I dreamed a dream, 


262 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


the kindest of them all. I saw a woman stand- 
ing on the shore of a river, her children drown- 
ing at her side. But she, unmindful of her 
own blood, was hastening to launch a boat into 
the stream that she might rescue a sinking 
dog on the farther shore. ‘ Ungrateful wretch, ’ 
I cried aloud on my bed so that I was awak- 
ened by my own voice. I was so moved by the- 
dream that I could sleep no more that night, 
but sought for some one to make known unto> 
me the interpretation thereof. I soon learned, 
to my personal shame, that I was that woman. 
I then and there vowed that I would no more 
be guilty of so great a crime. ( Great applause, 
with cries of “noble decision!’’ “common 
sense! ”) From that hour I assure you that I 
have been trying to evangelize tne world — not 
the one across the river, (applause) but the 
one on this side. ( Applause. ) 

“ I have been working at my own home 
and find a task almost too great for me to do. 
If I should ever see the day when I get through 
with my own family, including my husband, 
(great applause among the women) I can then 
commence busying myself with my neighbors^' 
affairs and tell them also how to become per- 
fect. ( Laughter and applause. ) 

“God never made a greater world tham 
when he instituted the home. The woman who* 


THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. 263 

becomes inspired with international evangeliza- 
tion would do well if she would learn how to 
season victuals and cook them aright (shout- 
ing and applause among the men) and to give 
proper care to her home and her children. This 
is home missionary work. ” (Continued ap- 
plause. ) The speaker was about to be seated, 
but the applause was rising, so she stepped 
forward again. “If this kind of missionary 
vrork be adopted, then the church will no 
longer be drained by repeated collections for 
missionary work, and that money will flow into 
better channels and prove an impetus to trade. ’’ 
She stepped quickly from the stage while the 
final burst of applause rang loud and prolonged. 

“That was the greatest and most sensible 
missionary speech to which I have ever listened 
in my life, ” chuckled Mr. World as he was 
moving toward the door with his companion. 

I learned from Blackana that this Mission- 
ary College of the Devil has wrought great 
mischief in the missionary operations of the 
church, and that Satan glories in the fact that 
he has succeeded in sending these nefarious 
doctrines to the hearts of so many church-mem- 
bers and thereby kept a large part of the world 
in spiritual darkness. 

Then I took a passing glance at the King^s 
Highway and saw a shining pilgrim commun- 


264 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 


ing with God and casting his eyes over the hiUs 
of Time, looking for the coming of his Re- 
deemer. From his lips this prayer arose, 
like sweet incense to Heaven: “O God, hasten 
the day when thy church will unite and go 
forth into all the world to preach the Gospel, 
instead of so large a part of it giving ear to 
the teaching of Satan ^s missionary schools, 
thereby delaying the coming of thy dear Son ! 


CHAPTER XX. 


The Rival Churches. 


1. The two companions visit a church on the By- 
Path and are disgusted. 

2. Then they are delighted with the services of the 
Church of the World whose minister they visit. 


f\ SAW the two happy companions leaving 
the Missionary College and proceeding 
on the Broad Highway. They were en- 
gaged in censuring the church for what they 
conceived to be its waste of time, talent, and 
means^ in trying to convert the heathen. 

This harmony of opinions was most pleas- 
ing to Mr. World. It was in sweet contrast to 
what he had previously experienced in his 
earlier acquaintance with Miss Church-Mem- 
ber. Her likeness to him and her love for 
him were becoming more noticeable as their 
fellowship continued, for she observed through 
her faithful lenses that his moral purity and re- 
finement were above par. 

While they were yet criticising the church, 
Mr. World espied, not far ahead of them, an- 
other path leading to the right. 

266 


266 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Behold the narrow path yonder, ” he ex- 
claimed in a somewhat surprised manner. “If 
it were not for a happy change in you, I would 
now be subjected to a score of sickly senti- 
ments as to leaving this way and going with 
you to a harder one. Have I conjectured 
rightly?” he asked in a cheerful vein. 

“It is all too true, ” she confessed. “If 
people could but see their folly before plac- 
ing it on exhibition, what a blessing it would 
be to all around them!” 

On the By-Path stood a small church within 
easy reach of the Broad Highway. As they 
came nearer to the place of worship they 
heard music which attracted them to the very 
door of the church. 

“Let us enter, ” she suggested. 

“ I shall enjoy your pleasure, ” he court- 
eously replied. “Only see to it carefully that 
your glasses are properly adjusted, lest some 
strange glimmerings of light should bring pain 
or ruin to your eyes. ” 

I saw Miss Church-Member re-adjusting 
her lenses while they were entering the church 
and taking seats in the rear of the room. 

The minister led the congregation in a fer- 
vent prayer which seemed to be altogether too 
Puritanical in the estimation of Mr. World and 
his friend. 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


267 


The preacher began his sermon. As he 
proceeded his countenance became more radi- 
ant. His clear eyes sparkled aright, and as he 
preached Christ and Him crucified even his 
raiment seemed bright and shining. 

It proved to be a memorable meeting. A 
tew who evidently intended to ridicule were 
pricked in their hearts and, much to the dis- 
gust of some, cried out: “What must I do to 
be saved?” 

“ Fools who came to scoff remained to pray. ” 

“This is affectation in the extreme,” whis- 
pered Mr. World scornfully. 

“Quite enough of it, indeed,” she returned. 

The whole affair seemed to her so unreal 
that her mind could scarcely believe that she 
was ever connected seriously with such a 
method of worship. 

Still worse than aU, through her warped 
vision and the aid of her eye-glasses well ad- 
justed, she was led to discern a wicked motive 
in the mind of the minister. His utterances 
also appeared miserably narrow. 

At the request of Miss Church-Member 
they left the room, congratulating themselves 
that they were not compelled to remain longer. 

“All this reminds me of how simple and 
foolish I once was,” she said plaintively as they 
descended the front steps. “Is it possible 


268 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

that I was ever seriously connected with such 
a kind of worship? Yet ignorance is the 
mother of endless follies. Can we find no bet- 
ter place of worship than this?” 

“Better by far! I can easily lead you to a 
church where great varieties of truthful and 
yet comfortable doctrines are preached, pleas- 
ing to the ear, and fascinating to the senses. 
No blunt fellow stands in its pulpit, but rather 
a cultured and highly refined gentleman of 
modern type who delights to keep apace with 
the customs of the age. If you desire, I wiU 
gladly accompany you thither. It would be 
sad indeed were you to be turned away from 
religion altogether just because your own 
church is so unsuited to your advanced ideas.” 

The face of Miss Church-Member bright- 
ened, and she quickly expressed her desire to 
accompany him to such a church. Therefore 
Mr. World improved the first opportunity and 
conducted her to a large and beautiful edifice. 

“Here,” he said, “is the kind of church to 
which I am inclined. I give very liberally to 
the support of the Gospel as here preached. I 
like the broad-mindedness and liberal spirit 
which is manifested within the domain of this 
denomination. ” 

“In what else does this church differ from 
the one to which I belong?” she asked. 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


“In this denomination your conscience is 
not always pricked and you can do many inno- 
cent things without being called a sinner. You 
may also consult your personal feelings relative 
to church duties. One is not bound down by a 
galling yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny. Best of 
all, this is an up-to-date church. You can 
learn something about science, philosophy, and 
civil government. In your church one must 
listen to the thread-bare doctrines of the Bible, 
much to his personal discomfort. Your minis- 
ter exercises a censorship over the consciences 
of his members from which I prefer to be ex- 
cused. In fine, I can say that nothing is de- 
veloped there but a long face and a sanctimoni- 
ous soberness.” 

They entered the church, and were con- 
ducted to a front pew. 

The opening services were enrapturing to 
Miss Church-Member, and seemed unlike any- 
thing she had ever heard. The operatic rendi- 
tion of the music, the ritualistic cast of the 
prayer and the soothing effect of the rhetorical 
essay which took the place of a sermon, aU ex- 
ercised a fascinating influence. 

As the minister neared the close of his 
essay, he said: “Christ intended that man 
should enjoy liberty in this life, and that he 
should educate himself in the best schools of 


270 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

art, science, and literature. Therefore one has 
a right to seek, in this infinitely great world of 
ours, foi such things as will best educate his 
natural and spiritual being. If the theatre can 
supply part of this demand, let him go, as a 
student, and drink into his soul through the 
senses of sight and hearing. If the dance can 
elevate him somewhat in demeanor and clas- 
sical grace, let him go there as a student. If 
some milder types of indulgence can bring him 
into a more thorough knowledge of the weak- 
nesses of human nature, let him indulge, but 
only as a student with sincerest motives. In 
general, I would say, that your conscience is a 
reasonably safe guide and you cannot go far 
wrong by obeying its dictates. Be a student 
all the days of your life ; familiarize yourself 
with both the virtues and the vices of human 
kind that you may be better qualified to de- 
fend the right and resist the wrong. ” 

At the conclusion of the services I heard 
the minister announce that the church would 
hold a “razzle-dazzle” party on Friday even- 
ing, at which he hoped there would be a good 
attendance, as the church treasury was in sad 
need of replenishment. He also announced that 
all the prayer-meetings would be discontinued 
for two weeks, so as to permit a thorough prac- 
tice for the coming Cantata. 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


271 


After the dismissal of the congregation the 
two continued on their journey, which was ever 
opening to them new avenues of delight. 

Miss Church-Member expressed supreme 
satisfaction regarding the scholarly sermon to 
which she had listened, and confessed that she 
had never heard a preacher in her own church 
take such advanced positions concerning the 
nature of human liberty. 

Mr. World felt elated because his compan- 
ion had found such exquisite delight in the 
worship of the same church to which he ad- 
hered. He also remembered, with pleasure, 
that they had safely passed the little church 
on the By-Way, which represented the same 
doctrines as the church to which his now con- 
fiding friend belonged. 

“Would it not be more in keeping with your 
advanced Christianity if you were to withdraw 
your membership from your present connec- 
tion and join a church more fitting to your de- 
gree?” were his suave words of invitation, 

“That would be a natural question to con- 
sider after I know the rules and regulations of 
the church to which I intend to go. ” 

“That only indicates your wisdom, ” said 
Mr. World insinuatingly. “Since you desire 
more congenial Christian fellowship, why not 


272 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


^ive your attention to the church toward which 
I lean?” 

“An agreeable suggestion, ” she said. 
“Where can I get the desired information?” 

He answered the question by taking her to 
the home of the minister, and there introduc- 
ing the subject. 

She was very favorably impressed by the 
courteous reception accorded her by so great 
and dignified a person. 

“You come seeking knowledge of the church. 
I assure you, my young friend, that I will gladly 
answer any questions. May I take the privi- 
lege of asking you whether you have ever be- 
longed to any church?” 

She flushed with shame. “I will be true 
and tell you all. I had a great experience some 
years ago, when I was seeking Christ. In an- 
swer to my earnest petitions, I saw the most wel- 
come beams of light that ever touched my poor 
soul. I knew I was converted to Christ and 
continued in his service ever since, although 
somewhat differently since I came into fellow- 
ship with Mr. World. I joined the church in 
which I was converted and still hold my mem- 
bership there.” 

“How did you get so well acquainted with 
the happy Mr. World?” 

Miss Church-Member answered half in 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


273 


quaint humor and half in pathos: “I, at one 
time, thought he was a very wicked fellow, and 
in a prayerful mood I endeavored to rescue him. 
I knew he would not come by his own effort to 
my way of thinking, so I entered into an alliance 
with him for the purpose of quietly leading 
him unto the King’s Highway. I soon saw the 
bigotry of my former self, and through the 
kindness of Mr. World I have already been 
aided in my vision and improved in dress, and, 
better than all, I have enjoyed the privilege of 
worshiping my God in a more fitting temple, 
where true freedom is preached and practicd. ” 

“Then it is your purpose to continue being 
a Christian, although you have left the King’s 
Highway?” asked the delighted clergyman. 

“As long as I live I will hold to my reh- 
gion, ” she said emphatically. 

“Then you are sound indeed both in pur- 
pose and doctrine. Did you wish to be visibly 
connected with our church?” 

“I wish to know first its rules and condi- 
tions of entrance. ” 

The minister opened his Guide Book and, 
duly adjusting his spectacles, read in a pleas- 
ing manner : “Anyone wishing to unite with this 
church must comply with the following rules 
and regulations: 


274 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“RULE I. — He must reach a reasonable de- 
gree of respectability, or endeavor to do so. 

“RULE II. — He must not wear clothing so 
plain as to attract undue attention. 

“RULE III. — He must not tolerate or coun- 
tenance the common nuisances so prevalent in 
the churches of the King’s Highway. 

“RULE IV. — He must ever manifest a 
liberal spirit so as to keep in touch with the 
progress of the world. 

“RULE V. — He may engage in any prac- 
tice that wiU give enlightenment on either the 
dark or the bright side of life. Members of this 
church ought to have a weU-rounded education. 

“RULE VI. — He must never take advan- 
tage in buying or selling, except in such cases 
like Jacob’s, where he can bring good to him- 
self or profit to the church. 

“RULE VII. — He must never give way to 
his temper, except in such cases where his 
personal liberty or his church is attacked. 

“RULE VIII. — He is to cultivate grace and 
etiquette through whatever channel possible. 

“RULE IX. — He is to be faithful in attend- 
ing the services of his own church, except in 
cases of sickness or disinclination. 

“RULE X. — It must be his constant aim to 
reach Heaven by traveling diligently on a way 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES* 


275 


wide enough to hold the attention and respect 
of an enlightened age. 

“These are our general rules. We have 
several thousand regulations covering every 
phase or avenue of life. ’ ’ 

“What I have just now heard are certainly 
not as iron-clad as the rules of my church. 
Nothing is said of conversion, or spirituality, 
or of the Holy Spirit, or of the other Persons 
of the Trinity, ” commented Miss Church-Mem- 
ber. 

“No, not of anything that is antiquated or, 
in other words, ‘ out of date. ’ The main church 
on earth must deal with practical things. ” 

“What do you call ‘conversion’ in your 
church, or do you not beheve in it?” 

“Beyond any doubt we believe in conver- 
sion. Just as soon as a person confesses his 
faith in our general rules he is converted, and 
is at once a good Christian. The Bible says 
that if one will only believe he is safe : or 
‘ saved already ’ as the true Greek rendering 
has it. ” 

“Then you hold to the Bible strictly?” 
“We are the only church that does really 
and truly hold to the Bible. We believe and 
teach it as it is preserved for the ages in the 
original Hebrew and Greek. ” 

“But I notice that many of your rules seem 


276 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

to be at variance with certain parts of the Bible, ” 
she boldly declared. 

“True enough, but those certain parts of 
the Bible do not belong to the genuine Scrip- 
tures. Whatever you find in the Bible con- 
trary to our rules and regulations you can 
safely conclude is an interpolation and does 
not form a part of the inspired Word. Let 
me assure you. Miss Church-Member, that our 
discipline was written with great care by emi- 
nent scholars of the Hebrew and Greek ; there- 
fore how could there have been any error in 
it?’’ 

Miss Church-Member was slightly con- 
fused, and evidenced by her manner that she 
was ready to depart. 

“May I ask before you go, ” continued the 
minister, “ whether you are willing to join our 
church?” 

“I have been thinking, ” she replied, “that 
I could do more good in my own church, not by 
fighting it, but by using my influence quietly in 
trying to get some of its members to be more 
like I am. I have always had a missionary 
spirit. In that way I might satisfy my earlier 
ambitions and lead some one out of the mist 
into a better light. ” 

“A very bright idea, ” testified Mr. World, 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


277 


advancing with Miss Church-Member toward 
the door. 

“And may you succeed in your plans, ” 
added the minister as they were stepping from 
the room. “There are millions who belong to 
my church in spirit, but who hold visible con- 
nection with some radical church of the King’s 
Highway. They are doing great service in eradi- 
cating old-time methods and planting the banners 
of a new hberty such as we three enjoy. ” 


CHAPTER XXI. 


From the Valley of Convictioii to the Devil’s 
Auction. 


1. Depression of Miss Church-Member. 

2. The Merry Village. 

3. The Famous Cross Roads. 

4. The Devil’s Auction. 



S Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
proceeded on their journey they were 
frightened by a man who, with his 
hands uplifted and agony pictured on his face, 
came running toward them, shouting: “Let 
good sense control you and go no farther ! En- 
chantment, spirits, witches, and unnamed hob- 
gobhns dwell in every part of this hideous val- 
ley!” 


“Oh, terror! What can this mean?” nerv- 
ously asked Mr. World, as the stranger stood 
panting for breath. 

“All a mystery ! Even the air is filled with 
poison and weird music. I am thankful that I 
have escaped with my life. ” 

“Come, come, Mr. Sin-Sick, tell us more 
about it. We may thereby profit greatly, ” 
said Mr. World with more composure. 

“I had just been traveling farther down 
the valley of Thoughtfulness and Conviction 


278 


As Mr. World and his companion were entering the Valley of Conviction a terrified man came running 

toward them. He ran away from the preaching of the gospel. 


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THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 


281 


when I heard multitudes shouting praises to 
One whom they called their Redeemer, each 
waving aloft a banner bearing the imprint of 
a cross. On the cross I saw these words : 
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his 
only begotten Son, that whosoever beheveth in 
him should not perish, but have everlasting 
life. ’ When I came nearer to the confusion I 
was suddenly seized with a peculiar conviction 
which brought grief to my soul ; and, had I not 
made this timely retreat, I might have been 
brought under the power of those strange 
creatures. Oh, take heed and go with me some 
other way. ” 

Mr. World readily consented, but Miss 
Church-Member was inclined to continue, con- 
fessing that she had once been a singer in such 
a valley, and surely no harm could befall them 
there. Mr. World thought it was the part of 
wisdom not to oppose her at this time, al- 
though he feared that she might be induced to 
leave him. He consented to go, pretending that 
it made no difference to him which way he 
traveled ; but, as they walked on, the wary 
fellow was very careful not to step from the 
Broad Path. 

Wken they came in sight of the valley Miss 
Church-Member lifted her glasses to test the 
strength of her eyes. Memory brought sting- 


282 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ing grief to her heart. She commenced sigh- 
ing for the old paths and also wept that she 
had for so long a time abetted her former ene- 
mies. 

Her companion became alarmed at the new 
turn. “ Be not so fool-hardy, ’’ he warned. Your 
eyes are being needlessly ruined. Quickly re- 
place those glasses lest you become totally 
blind. ” 

She obeyed promptly and thus the inten- 
sity of conviction passed. Had her spiritual 
ears been open, she might have heard an angel 
sadly singing: 

“ Oh, hear the song of love that fills the air ! 

Oh, heed the voice that pleads in touching prayer ! 

Both fall upon your conscience now in vain. 

Through vile deceit your nobler self is slain. ” 

In this vale she heard the word of God 
preached powerfully, and the calling of the 
Holy Spirit in unmistakable sweetness, but 
how could it affect one who wore such treach- 
erous glasses and who considered her condi- 
tion so favorable? 

She passed through the valley with her 
faithful friend without being lured from the 
Broad Highway. 

On the verge of the valley I saw a curi- 
ously shaped building and read these words 
over it: 


THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 


283 


Tons of Laughter: Cheap Admission. 

A man with a strong voice stood along the 
path and cried out : “ Whoa ! Whoa ! Ye travelers 
of this way ! Come hither and drive away your 
cruel cares. Here is the greatest exhibition in 
the world. Smile and walk lightly, laugh and 
grow fat !” 

Mr. World and his associate, however, did 
not enter this place, but passed on through 
the entire Merry Village. On each side of the 
way they saw an endless variety of gaudy ad- 
vertisements, each one setting forth some lead- 
ing feature of some frivolous, indecent, or gay 
performance. 

Miss Church-Member was not tempted as 
was her companion to spend time at such 
places. So he, in order to hold her company, 
sacrificed his desires and passed on without 
complaint. 

I now turned and spoke to Blackana who 
still mutely sat at his appointed post. “TeU 
me the meaning of the Merry Village being lo- 
cated so near the Valley of Conviction. ” 

Without the faintest murmur he replied : 
“Many of the millions who pass through the 
valley are strangely affected with a sad counte- 
nance and a heavy heart, which indeed drive 
them into a frenzy so that they go toward the 
King’s Highway. Satan intends by the attrac- 


284 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

tions of the Merry Village to divert the thought 
of all such travelers and hold them in the 
bounds* of the Broad Highway. You will soon 
come to the path on which more people go to 
the narrow, rugged way than on all other paths 
combined. Were it not for this happy vil- 
lage, and the places beyond, many more would 
drop out of our ranks. ” 

I doubted not the words of Blackana, and 
as I looked out again upon the Broad Highway, 
I saw that the two companions had just left 
the Merry Village and had come to the well- 
beaten road leading to the right. 

Here stood a preacher who, in tearful 
earnestness, urged all travelers to go the right 
way. I saw many heeding his words and go 
running on the new way after throwing away 
many cumbrous things. 

At this place I saw some parting with their 
friends. One, in particular, I noticed who was 
pleading with another not to go, and ever 
clinging to him in bodily strength. Many who 
desired to leave the Broad Highway were simi- 
larly prevented. 

In the fork of the road stood a number of 
large churches in each of which services were 
held every hour of the day. These were the 
Devil’s churches, and were supplied by a court- 
eous and shrewd class of ministers. 


THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 


285 


On the left side of the way was a large gar- 
den and a series of groves, each filled with a 
merry throng of pleasure-seekers. Bands of 
music made the air resonant, and every device 
known to the world of sport could be found in 
full fiing in these varied resorts where intoxi- 
cating drink was the main beverage, and danc- 
ing and gambling were the chief dehghts. 

The Broad Highway was especially wide at 
this junction. It led onward between the 
Devil’s churches and the pleasure grounds. 

The greatest confusion prevailed on this 
wide area. Many missionaries from the King’s 
Highway were busily engaged in speaking to 
the throngs that had come through the VaUey 
of Conviction. 

There were also many friends of the Devil, 
in vulgar attire, persuading the multitudes to 
rest in the joyful grove, while other agents of 
Satan, in more saintly manner, urged attend- 
ance upon the church services. 

Thus I observed the heedless throng from 
the Valley of Conviction being attracted by the 
music and passing through the pleasure 
grounds, while an alarmingly large number at- 
tended the churches in the fork of the roads. 
A few stoics, without pausing, passed on along 
the Broad Highway. 

Only a few, comparatively, could be per- 


286 MK. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

suaded to turn their steps toward the King’s 
Highway. 

Mr. World and Miss Church- Member stood 
for a long time watching the ever-changing 
panorama of the surging crowds. He was de- 
sirous of visiting the groves, but Miss Church- 
Member was too piously inclined. So they 
were halting between these two desires when 
a saintly looking person approached them. 

“To what place are you journeying?” the 
beautiful stranger asked. 

“We are journeying to a place called 
Heaven, ” promptly answered Miss Church- 
Member. 

“Congratulations, indeed, ” spoke the stran- 
ger as he smiled. “You belong to the better 
class of travelers. Some, I fear, who go this 
way will miss Heaven. They are too much at- 
tracted by the frivolities of life and never have 
a desire to go to church. ” 

“But we love the church, ” spoke up Mr. 
World. “However we have had httle time and 
no opportunity to enter one for some time. ” 

“You are welcome to the services in one 
of yonder buildings, ” said the stranger as he 
pointed toward the group of the Devil’s 
churches. “There you can hsten with pleas- 
ure and profit to the latest style of preaching, 


THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 


287 ; 


and the special music will prove entertaining. 
You should, without fall, attend church, or you 
will never increase in spiritual knowledge. ’’ 

Without further hesitation the two pushed 
their way through the crowd and entered one 
of the churches where they were greeted 
warmly and ushered to a prominent seat. 

The minister had already begun to speak 
and was growing eloquent as he warmed to 
his theme. They listened with absorbing inter* 
est to every word that fell from his lips. 

“Into this church, ” the minister said, 
“come the wearied of heart, troubled per* 
chance with inward fears resulting from the 
weird occurrences along the pathway through 
the Valley of Conviction. We bid you cast 
aside your thoughts of trouble and be at peace. 
There is a calmness you should covet un-* 
touched by such conviction. 

“They who sing and preach in that valley 
are low subjects of ignorance and folly, and 
happy for you if you succeed in totally forget- 
ting all you saw or heard while passing 
through. Why should you worry about your 
condition? Are you not good enough? You 
have come hither from respectable parents, 
perhaps received Christian baptism, and can 
easily distinguish between right and wrong. 
Why should cruel daggers now pierce your- 


288 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


heart ? What you have done or expect to do is 
fsurely pleasing to your God. If you belong to 
the church, you are doubly safe. Let time 
change, or worlds fall, the church will stand 
forever. If you continue faithful here, you will 
■have a glorious end ; only be not influenced by 
;the contemptible advocates of the Narrow Way, 
who show their vanity by their professions of 
superior sanctity. Be satisfied with the good, 
old, staid principles of this church, and be not 
swept away by every wind of doctrine that is 
blasting the earth with its sulphurous breath. 
Rejoice in your pilgrimage and let conviction 
.no longer sadden your hfe. ” 

After continuing at some length in this 
strain, the minister announced that a quartette 
would render an appropriate selection just re- 
ceived from the mountain-tops of Apathy. 

The congregation seemed to be greatly 
pleased as these words were sung with a show 
of sentiment : 

‘ ‘ Come, ye that struggle 
With thoughts of conviction ; 

Continue no longer 
Such burdens to bear. 

Throvr off forever 
This needless affliction ; 

And taste of the pleasures 
That wisdom would share. 


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The Devil’s Auction. 

Here many church-members, and others, pay their all for a few baubles of worldly pleasure. 



THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 291 

“There’s rest for the soul 
In blissful forgetting; 

’ Tis bought by the prudent- 
At moderate cost. 

Then cast to the winds 
Thy worry and fretting, 

And live in the sunshine 
Where shadows are lost. ” 

At the conclusion of the services Mr. Worldl 
conducted his friend from the church, and as; 
they were moving again toward the surging 
crowds they heard the voice of an auction- 
eer. 

“Let us tarry a moment, ” he urged as he 
turned his footsteps to that part of the Broad 
Highway known as the Devil’s Auction. 

A large company of men, women, and^ 
children were giving earnest heed to the auc- 
tion which had been in progress all day. 

The auctioneer held in his hand a gaudy' 
bauble of worldly pleasure. He cried in the 
fuU strength of his voice that such beautiful 
specimens of pleasure were very rare. At 
once the bidding for it grew lively. It was 
soon thrown out to a reckless mortal whos 
seized it with unusual avidity. 

Then a door was opened in the rear, and lo^, 
I beheld a series of rooms fiUed with baubles^ 
of every conceivable kind, enough to satisfy alS 
who came for such lightsome things. 


292 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

One of extraordinary beauty was next 
'Offered. “What do I hear for it?” lustily 
shouted the auctioneer. 

The whole host bent forward eagerly to 
get a nearer view of the new attraction. 

“I’ll give one hour of time! ” said an aged 
man. 

“An hour of time is bid, an hour of time! 
Who’ll give more?” 

“ I’ll give one day ! ” joyously bid a thought- 
less youth. He received it, and walked off in 
high glee. 

“Here is another! A novelty just out!” 
boldly cried the auctioneer. 

How anxiously aU stepped forward, each 
one wishing to scrutinize the latest kind of 
pleasure offered. 

The highest bidder was a restless youth 
who offered his all for the coveted prize. 

Miss Church-Member was but little inter- 
ested in these proceedings and urged her com- 
panion to the next auction-stand where certain 
rights and privileges were sold. 

On the stand stood a glib-tongued fellow 
who announced that he would first offer for 
sale the Right to Sell Intoxicating Drink. 
“How much do I hear?” shouted the auc- 
tioneer as the cosmopolitan crowd looked on. 


THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 


293 


*‘One hundred dollars per annum!” cried 
the people of one state. 

“One hundred, one hundred, going at one 
hundred ! ” 

“Two hundred dollars! ” bid the represen- 
tatives of another state. 

“Three hundred dollars!” was another 
offer that immediately came in. 

“That is far below the value ! ” shouted the 
auctioneer. “Remember, all this money we get 
for licensing the saloon wiU go for charity or 
to help educate and civilize the people ! ” 

Thousands upon thousands cheered to the 
echo, while the wicked auctioneer and his 
allies were highly pleased at the spectacle. 

“Three hundred, three hundred! Alto- 
gether too low a sum for so great a privi- 
lege ! ” 

“Five hundred dollars! ” cried the authori- 
ties of another state. 

“Going at five hundred, five hundred, five 
hundred ! ” rapidly and hilariously yelled the 
auctioneer, and the crowd cheered lustily. 

“Still going at five hundred, five hundred! 
Who’ll give six hundred? First, second, and 
last warning, and sold at five hundred dollars 
to the state represented by yonder group of 
delegates ! ” 


!294 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Thus the program continued, and the 
right to sell liquor under respectability was 
sold at varying prices. Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member left long before the auction 
was ended. They paused not at the other cen- 
ters where Satan’s agents were selling their 
worthless and death-dealing merchandize to the 
ohildren of men. 


CHAPTER XXIL 


The Devlins Hospital. 


1. Miss Church-Member, suddenly attacked with 
heart trouble, is hurried away to the Hospital. 

2. She receives the attention of Satan’s fiendish 
surgical operators. 

3. A visit through the various wings of the Hos- 
pital and sub-ofiflces. The horrifying work described. 


travelers of the Broad Highway 
^ I pushed onward by millions, seemingly 
unconscious of their end. Miss Church- 
Member had become so well accustomed to the 
ways of the world that she could now adapt 
herself With more ease to all the exigencies 
of the journey. 

In the midst of her favorable circumstances 
she was nursing the germs of an insidious dis- 
ease which rendered her heart weaker and 
weaker. At times short, but sharp pains were 
felt ; and more than once her hand flew to her 
breast in evidence of the inward struggle. 

Her disease reached a climax after she 
had gone not far beyond the VaUey of Convic- 
tion. She was walking along in a happy 
mood, when she suddenly felt a pang in her 
heart and mentioned the circumstance to Mr. 
World who was still her faithful companion. 

295 


■296 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“What can it be that has been giving you 
this trouble for so long a time ? ” he asked. 

“I know not, ” she faintly replied as she 
stood still and pressed both hands to her heart. 

Thoroughly alarmed, Mr. World called for 
help while he supported her with his arm. 

“It seems strange,” gasped Miss Church- 
Member in a brief interval of relief, “that, 
with aU the pure air along this way and the 
variety of things to engage my attention, I 
should be seized, at shortening intervals, with 
these cruel and unbearable heart-pangs. Oh, 
that I might be free from this intruder’s 
grasp ! What shall I do ? Whiere shall I go ? 
I feel again the edge of the invisible blade ! ” 

At this she threw her arms upward and, 
shrieking in ^ony, was about to fall as she 
was caught by Mr. World. 

“Let us hurry her off to the nearest hos- 
pital, ” promptly suggested one of the by- 
standers who had responded to the call for 
help. An ambulance carried the fainting Miss 
Church-Member to one of Satan’s hospitals near 
by. 

The chief physician ordered the apparently 
lifeless form to be taken at once to an exami- 
nation room, granting Mr. World the privilege 
of remaining by the side of his suffering 
friend. 


An ambulance carried the fainting- Miss Church-Member to one of Satan’s hospitals 

near by. 




THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


299 


A quick investigation disclosed the fact 
that Miss Church-Member had been overcome 
by a partial paralysis of the heart, induced by 
intense mental anxiety dating from the time 
when she had passed through the Valley of 
Conviction. 

“Not a serious case,” said the suave doctor 
in reply to a question from the anxious Mr. 
World. “An operation will take away, almost 
entirely, the cause of this trouble.” 

“Will you not explain to me the trouble, 
and the nature of the operation?” nervously 
asked Mr. World. 

“Certain nerves which ramify through the 
human heart have been affected emotionally by 
the nonsensical teachings of the King’s High- 
way. These teachings are commonly known as 
‘ Narrow-Guage Ideas. ’ If these nerves are 
rendered insensible, there is scarcely any trou- 
ble of that kind again. We can, by an intricate 
operation, paralyze the mother-nerve leading to 
the heart, and thereafter you may expect to 
find the heart of this woman almost dead to 
the foolish influences that needlessly send con- 
viction and remorse into so many lives. ” 

While the physician was rapidly speaking 
these words, the surgeon had arrived, and they 
forthwith proceeded to the operating room. 

Mr. World watched the attendants as they 


300 MR WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

carried Miss Church-Member away. He saw 
her no more that day, but heard that the 
operation was successful, and that the patient 
was resting quietly. 

One of the managers of the institution, 
knowing that Mr. World was companionless, 
offered to escort him through the various de- 
partments of the Hospital. To this he gave 
his hearty consent. 

They first went to the tower which proved 
to be a magnificent point of view. Here he could 
see far and wide, for the building itself was 
situated on elevated giound, and the tower 
rose far into the air. 

On one side of the Hospital stretched 
away the Broad Highway more pleasing at this 
point of the route than at many others, and far 
away it seemed to lead into pleasant woodland 
realms. 

On the other side of the building passed 
the King’s Highway, which, at this point, was 
exceedingly rough and uninviting to the view. 

Thus I saw how the shrewdness of Hell 
was exercised in locating hospitals at such; 
places. 

“Ignorance is the mother of aU that foUy, 
said Mr. World with a feeling of self-satisfac- 
tion. “I see a long line of separate buildings. 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL, 


301 


just below us — there along the King’s High- 
way. What purpose do they serve?” 

“Those are medical offices under the 
supervision of this hospital-staff. Any one 
traveling on the Narrow Path, and falling sick 
there, may enter for help and restoration. If 
the case be difficult, or requiring an operation, 
or even special nursing, the patient is brought 
to the hospital. ” 

“Are you successful in most of your 
operations, especially with those patients who 
come from such a rugged path?” 

“Fortunately we succeed in effecting a 
cure in almost every case. We can only deal 
with those who voluntarily come to our medi- 
cal staff. Many, in sad need of our help, pass 
by all our special offices without ever seeking 
advice. ” 

“Are your patients foolish enough, after 
having been treated, to go back to that jolting 
road, and thus again invite their iUs ? ” 

“Most of our patients go hence on the 
more delightful way which you see, and on 
which you have come hither.” 

“What diseases most commonly affect 
those who come to your physicians and hos- 
pirtals for help?” 

“Let me answer your question by taking 


302 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

you down to those offices. You may there ob- 
serve for yourself. ” 

I saw Mr. World and his escort enter a 
physician’s office which stood as near the 
King’s Highway as Satan could build it. 

The doctor was examining a church deacon 
who, by reason of his disease, found it hard to 
travel on a way so narrow and rugged. He 
was given a vial of medicine with specific direc- 
tions. 

After the patient had left, the doctor 
smiled derisively and pocketed his fee with 
ghoulish delight. 

“What ailed that man asked?” Mr. World. 
“Can you tell me the cause of his malady?” 

“He has been eating and eating sermons, 
exhortations, and pious literature, and has done 
scarcely any work for his so-called Master. 
Eating much and working little generally re- 
sults in gout or rheumatic diseases. There are 
large numbers in the church coming here for 
treatment who are similarly affected. I sup- 
pose such Christians enjoy eating better than 
they enjoy working. ” 

“Do you prepare them for better service 
on the King’s Highway?” 

“Never! My business is to give them 
such medicine as will make all kinds of spirit- 
ual food repulsive to them. Then, rather than 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


305 


starve, they go to the fat lands on the Broad 
Highway for which my medicine prepares 
them. There they eat of the fruit forbidden 
by their former Master, for it is sweet-tasting 
withal. Some go on in the forbidden king- 
doms until death, and hold an honorable place 
in their first church. Others are dealt with 
more summarily on account of the radical 
views entertained by certain bigots who wage 
warfare against a man who finds delight in 
gardens other than his own. ” 

The electric bell summoned the doctor to 
the door. He opened it, and there stood a pil- 
grim from the King’s Highway. 

She entered and, fully exhausted, sank into 
a chair. 

“What is the difficulty?” asked the phy- 
sician in a cool manner. 

“Something terrible indeed, or else my 
comrades accuse me unjustly. ” 

“With what do they charge you. Miss 
Goodly-Minded ? ” he questioned, as he felt 
her pulse. 

“I am accused of being out of order just 
because I do not run all the time to prayer- 
meeting and to other services of the church. 
They say I am not fit to travel this way, and 
therefore I have found it very difficult to get 
over some of the obstacles. Weariness and 


304 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


fatigue have almost dragged me to the earth. 
My persecution will prove to be my death un- 
less you can give me some medicine to reheve 
me. ” 

“Let me see your tongue, ” the physician 
requested. This done, he continued: “Ah! I 
can easily see, by your coated tongue, that 
you have already eaten more good things than 
you could digest. If there is any error, it is 
because you have already gone to church too 
much. I have medicine to cure you. ” 

At that he walked into another room and 
opened a secret door. I saw him pour a liquid 
from a large bottle labeled, “Satan’s Malaria 
■Cure. ” It contained a mixture of unbelief, 
ridicule, and self-righteousness. He filled a 
small vial with sugar pellets and saturated 
them with the mixture from the large bottle. 

“Take four globules every hour, ” he di- 
rected, as he gave her the medicine, “and I 
would further advise that you travel for your 
health. ” 

“What chmate would be most helpful to 
me?” she asked, for she was a lady of con- 
siderable means and could go where she 
wished. 

“A colder chmate where you wiU be free 
from the noonday sun, and breathe in a new 
atmosphere. This medicine wiU do the rest. ” 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


305 


She passed out of the door just as a feeble 
man was entering. He was an old pilgrim and 
evidently suffering much. 

The doctor seized him by the hand with a 
strange vigor not even understood by Mr. 
World. 

“So you are under the power of ‘La 
Grippe,’ ” saluted the doctor. 

“Under the power of something, I am 
sure, for everything is wrong with me, and 
everything seems wrong to me, ” was the slow 
answer. 

The doctor soon diagnosed his case, and 
gave him powders with directions. 

“It did not take you very long to attend 
to him, ” said Mr. World, after the aged man 
left the office. 

“I deal with so many of that class that I 
keep the medicine ready. La Grippe is a splen- 
did thing for my trade. It is affecting more 
pilgrims just now than any other disease. 
Some churches are more than decimated by 
the ravages of this plague. 

The manager then conducted Mr. World 
into another office where the doctor was just 
giving medical attention to ,a young lady who 
was suffering with spiritual quinsy. It was so 
severe that she could not testify for Christ, 
and she wilfuUy passed by the “Great Physi- 


306 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

cian ” who could have healed her blessedly. 
She also passed by all the angels of mercy 
who throng the King’s Highway. She turned 
a deaf ear to all the singers who sang, “Then 
why will ye die ? ” Finally she was heavily 
pressed by her disease and, seeing a physi- 
cian’s office which she could enter without 
climbing a step, she went in and chose rather 
to be treated by a doctor of the Devil, as if 
dead to all the offers of mercy which she had 
rejected. 

She accepted his treatment without ques- 
tion, and even felt at ease in conscience, think- 
ing that the easy, bland method of this physi- 
cian was in every way preferable to the search- 
ing methods adopted by the Healer Divine. 

She regained her voice, but it lost that 
sweet accent of heaven which once had charac- 
terized it. It was now difficult and embarrass- 
ing for her to pronounce the name of Jesus. 

All this proved painful and intolerable, so 
she took a by-path to the left called “Unchas 
tity ” where she found a whole vocabulary of* 
speech more suited to her utterance. 

She spent the rest of her days in the 
habitations of immorality along the Broad 
Highway, unmindful of the tears and kindly 
solicitude of her entreating friends. 

Into the third medical wing the two 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


307 


went only to see the fiendish program carried 
on there as in the other offices. The first pa- 
tient they saw was a young man who, through 
the misguidance of a weakling, was persuaded 
to enter the office. 

This physician, with a smile on his face, 
but vile purpose in his heart, administered 
wilfully the very medicine that gave a tran- 
sient gratification to the patient’s craving for 
narcotics, and which would finally cause the 
appetite to break out anew into an inward 
burning and gnawing, swinging a master’s 
lash over him. 

The physician told him thd;t his taste was 
inherited, and it would consequently require 
much patience ere he could be cured. He 
gave him the devilish medicine, and urged him 
to continue using it until the bottle was drained 
to its dregs. 

At first it gave the promised relief, but 
the young man, now more deeply contaminated 
by this concoction of Hell, raged in wilder pas- 
sion than ever, and verily ran to his utmost on 
the By-Path of intemperance until the flower of 
his youth and manhood was blasted to the 
blackest, and his sense of honor lost in the 
hovels of vice and corruption which, in great 
variety, stood along the Broad Highway. 

The book-keepers of Hell placed an addi- 


308 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

tional mark to the credit of this doctor, while 
the church looked on the young man’s fall 
somewhat indifferently, having been hardened 
by the frequency of similar occurrences. 

At the request of Mr. World the manager 
conducted him back to the hospital building 
and proceeded to show the various depart- 
ments to him. 

There was some commotion in one of the 
operating rooms just as Mr. World entered. It 
proved to be the preliminaiy work necessary 
for dressing a severe scalp wound. 

It happened that a certain woman, named 
Mrs. Criticiser, who belonged to an active 
church, attempted to injure a good and holy 
man by hurling stones at him. 

She noticed that the little stones did him 
no harm, so she seized one of larger size and 
hurled it at him with great force. He, being a 
pure man, and standing on a rock, was not 
even touched by the missile. But it struck 
the great rock on which he was standing, 
rebounded with unexpected force, and struck 
the head of Mrs. Criticiser with stunning 
effect. 

It was seen that the stone had made an 
ugly gash on her head, more severe and pain 
ful than she intended to inflict on the good Mr. 
Class-Leader. 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


309 ^ 


Her friends, being acquainted with the 
Devil’s Hospital, naturally carried her there 
for necessary attention. 

Mr. World saw Mrs. Criticiser brought 
into the room in a semi-conscious condition and 
watched the whole operation. 

The surgeon declared that a scar would be 
carried on her head all through life. Indeed 
there is no balm in Hell to cure the wounded 
head or heart so as not to leave a scar. Had 
she gone to the “Great Physician, ” and asked 
Him aright to apply the “Balm of Gilead,” her 
head would have been healed aright. 

The manager then escorted Mr. World into 
one of the wards which was crowded to over- 
flowing. 

They tarried at the bedside of a man whose 
left arm and right leg were bandaged. There 
lay the poor fellow awaiting the slow processes 
of healing for his fractured bones. 

It was on this wise that this man, a cer- 
tain Mr. Treacherous, came to this sorry plight. 

He was an ambitious member of the church, 
and aimed to be elected to an office therein. 
His admirers were too few, so the majority 
vote was given for another, named Mr. Wis- 
dom. 

This so aroused the jealousy of Mr. Treach- 
erous that he was moved to seek amends for 


310 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

what he considered a stinging and crushing 
defeat. 

“This will I do, ” said he, “I will dig a 
deep ditch across Mr. Wisdom’s path of suc- 
cess, and will shrewdly cover it from view, and 
as he chances along that way, in the course of 
his service, he will surely fall into this ditch to 
his hurt. Then will I glory in his downfall, so 
that the stings of this, my defeat, will not 
prick me so sharply. ” 

So Mr. Treacherous, in the blackness of 
the night, digged the ditch and covered it in- 
geniously. Then he waited day after day to 
hear oi Mr. Wisdom’s injury or death, that he 
might have cause for rejoicing. 

Now Mr. Treacherous, since his defeat, 
was so heavily weighed down with envy and a 
desire for revenge that he could not sleep 
soundly, and was wont to walk about the house 
in a somnambulistic manner. 

One night, under the influence of one of 
these strange spells, he went from the house 
and walked over the path that led to the ditch. 

To his great dismay and double disgrace 
he waked not until his body struck the bottom 
of the ditch. He was bruised and some of his 
bones were broken. Thus he lay there in agony 
and cried all night long for help. 

Ere the morning broke he wished a thou- 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


311 


sand times that he had not dug the ditch so 
deep, or rather, had not dug it at all. 

A band of searchers found him and, lift- 
ing him from his disgrace, they hurried him to 
this hospital, for he was not minded to humble 
himself still more by going to another place 
where Mr. Wisdom and his kind found relief 
in time of trouble. 

It is likely that Mr. Treacherous will never 
be able to walk again as perfectly as he did 
before, for it is the reputation of surgeons 
and physicians of this hospital, in dealing with 
cases of such extreme folly, that they so manip- 
ulate an operation as to render the patient in- 
capable of complete recovery. 

Mr. World and his congenial escort moved 
on from patient to patient, passing many hun- 
dreds who had met with accidents on the 
Broad Highway. 

Many had been wounded by the “sword of 
the Spirit ” and were now hoping to be cured 
by the processes here in vogue. 

In passing on through another ward their 
attention was called to a woman who lay on a 
couch and seemed to be suffering more than 
she was able to bear. 

Mr. World inquired concerning her, and 
was told that she was one Miss Busy-Body, a 
member in good standing of a radical church. 


312 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

She came to her grief in this strange man- 
ner : she had a special aptitude for sweeping 
before other people’s doors, and could always 
find dirt, even if she could not find anything 
better. 

She had been told repeatedly to sweep be- 
fore her own door, but she did not heed this 
wise counsel, for she often said that there was 
no dirt visible about her own home. 

One day she went forth as usually, broom 
in hand, and swept the dirt from other doors 
than her own, much to the annoyance and 
provocation of her neighbors, for she always 
raised the dust incontinently. 

Now by her continual neglect at home the 
filth had accumulated to such an extent that 
when she returned home and attempted to 
enter the door, her foot slipped on the greasy 
step, and she fell, breaking her collar bone, 
two of her ribs, and otherwise injuring herself. 

The manager told Mr. World that many 
such cases came to them for help every day- 
some from the King’s Highway and still more 
from the Broad Highway. 

They soon came to the bedside of one 
named Mr. Jealousy who occupied a private 
room. He was somewhat convalescent when 
Mr. World saw him. 

Mr. Jealousy at one time was an active 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


313 


member of the church, but he undertook to 
stab Mr. Stability in the back. But Mr. Sta- 
bility had a good back-bone so strong that no 
knife that Mr. Jealousy could handle was able 
to penetrate it. 

One time in desperation Mr. Jealousy flung 
himself violently upon his imaginary foe. But 
his blade broke, and he himself fell upon it, 
cutting a terrible gash in his side. He was 
taken to this hospital for help. 

Thus did Mr. Jealousy bring upon himself 
the disfavor of his church and he was forth- 
with expelled, for he refused to give the re- 
quired promise of reformation. 

Mr. World and the manager now came to 
a large door. 

“In this room, ” said the manager, “we 
keep all our cancer patients. We have a large 
number of them and, since they require spe- 
cial treatment, we keep them separate to facili- 
tate the work of the physicians and nurses. 

I saw them enter the room, and heard the 
words of surprise that fell from the lips of Mr. 
World as he saw the magnitude of this depart- 
ment. 

“These are they, ” explained the chief of 
the division, “who came here through ‘profane 
and vain babblings.’ ” 

Mr. World then passed through the lep- 


314 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

rosy ward where he saw quite a few who were 
once cleansed by the Divine Healer, but who, 
failing to give thanks for their recovery, suffered 
fatal relapse and were now in the last stages 
of this dread disease. 

This place was so loathsome to him that he 
was hastened into the General Department 
where he saw all manner of patients, each in 
his particular dilemma. 

A great number of this section were suffer- 
ing from disordered livers, and of these not a 
few came from the church. 

One such, who was a wealthy man, had so 
far protruded his disagreeableness upon the 
community that the church officials voluntarily 
gave him medicine for his liver. This was of 
no avail. He stiU grew more irritable and com- 
plained about the preacher, the sexton, the 
choir, and even his own wife. The weather 
never suited him, and when he gave any testi- 
mony about religion it was always a partial out- 
line of the supposed or real sorrows and trou- 
bles of the Christian pilgrimage. 

While suffering from one of his morbid 
spells, he listened to the voice of the tempter 
who persuaded him to seek help at the hands 
of the physicians under the control of this 
Hospital. 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


315 


These doctors dosed him until they per- 
suaded him to submit to an operation, and the 
wicked surgeon knew how to render him still 
more liable to trouble after his imaginary 
restoration toward which he was looking when 
Mr. World saw him. 

When he leaves this Hospital he can never 
be cured from the fiercer subsequent attacks 
unless he be born again, and such an event 
Satan knows is very unlikely to occur. 

Mr. World, in passing, spoke to quite a 
few who were suffering from spiritual dys- 
pepsia, consumption, and a great number 
of other ailments which had developed into 
chronic form, or had made necessary the sur- 
geon’s cruel knife, and then, turning to his 
obliging friend, asked if he could not now see 
Miss Church-Member. 

He was taken into a special department 
arranged for those who were convalescent. 

When she saw her faithful and loving 
friend. Miss Church-Member smiled for the 
first time since the operation. 

The pleasant interview soon ended at the 
behest of the nurse, and Mr. World was asked 
if he wished to enter the secret departments 
underground. 


316 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


This question aroused his curiosity and 
led to a lengthy conversation after which he 
expressed a desire to visit the secret cham- 
bers. 

He was conducted into a dark office and 
asked to sign a pledge that lay on a desk. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


Satan’s Secret Service. 

1. While Miss Church-Member is convalescent, 
Mr. World alone visits the underground apartments 
where secret sins are taught. 

2. The last horrible stages of vice represented. 

r\ SAW Mr. World standing in a shadowy 
room and reading the conditions of enter- 
ing “Satan’s Secret Service. ” He was 
soon surprised by hearing a voice from a 
gloomy corner: “You cannot gain entrance 
to these secret abodes unless you sign that 
pledge. ” 

“The meaning of the pledge is not clear 
to me. Who will explain it? ” asked Mr. World 
somewhat tremulously. 

“You can read between those lines all you 
wish. Those sentences must be their own 
interpreters, and you must choose to sign or 
withdraw from this room, just as you prefer, ” 
came the firm answer from the dark corner. 

Before Mr. World could decide what par- 
ticular course to take, a hand gently touched 
his shoulder. He turned 'to see who stood in 
the rear. 

“O, Mr. World, thou needst not fear to 
sign the pledge and enter the secret service of 
317 


318 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

our great and glorious master, ” were the 
words that greeted him in a friendly tone. 

“Who art thou, and how earnest thou 
here?” asked Mr. World in suspense. 

“I came here from ‘going to and fro in the 
earth, and from walking up and down in it.’ ” 
Then, without uttering another word, the 
strange visitor lifted the pledge from the desk 
and read it audibly : 

“Into these darker chambers let me go, 

I promise to conceal its scenes of woe, 

And solemnly declare, as here T stand, 

That I will aid this secret working band. 

“WTiat can there be about that pledge not 
suited to your wish ? It means that you are to 
have your eyes opened to behold new things, 
and also to learn the secret laws of life, health- 
ful to your marrow and your bones. ” 

Mr. World hesitated no longer. He signed 
the document forthwith, and a pass- word was 
whispered into his ear. 

Suddenly a door opened at one end of the 
room, through which Mr. World walked into a 
large cavern which was illuminated only by 
faint ghmmerings of light. 

He could discern faintly that many creatures 
were there whose uncanny noises, freighted 
with oaths and blasphemies, sent their sulphur- 


SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE. 


319 


ous fumes around. Although Mr. World was 
accustomed to foul scenes and profanity, yet he 
was sickened at this deeper touch of Hell. 

“Where am I and how came I here?” he 
cried out excitedly. A woman came quickly in 
response to his outcry. 

“You are in a place of liberty and personal 
license, ” she answered. “Here you are free 
from the annoyances of narrow-minded pil- 
grims from the King’s Highway, and you may 
spend a season in pure delight in these secret 
abodes which you will find more and more suited 
to the cravings of your natural heart and 
mind. ” 

Now Mr. World was a somewhat judicious 
man, and although he would not sanction 
what he called church fanaticism, yet he had 
some self-respect, and had never allowed him- 
self to reach the slum-level of society. 

“Here I cannot and will not stay. Are 
there no other apartments to which I can go? ” 
he asked, as the woman offered him a glass of 
wine, and in a sensual way entreated him to 
remain. 

Mr. World was a lover of wine, but was 
suspicious of the place, and so he moved to 
go and found great difficulty in getting to 
another door, which, at last, he reached only 
by determination, and, giving a pass-word, he 


320 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

went into the first regular department of 
Satan’s Secret Service. 

This place, which was secretly connected 
with the Wizard City, was one of Satan’s cen- 
ters from which originated schemes and de- 
vices to commit and practice embryonic mur- 
der. 

I saw in this dark cavern the sons and 
daughters of earth, high and low, noble and 
ignoble, and my heart bled within at what I 
further witnessed. 

Mr. World passed through from one sec- 
tion to another, studying carefully the secret 
processes in vogue, while illustrations, drawn 
by the artists of the Devil, instead of send- 
ing the blush of shame to his cheek, only 
fed his inner curiosity and verily aroused his 
baser passions. 

Having finished, he gave the pass-word and 
was admitted to a sub-department called Foeti- 
cide. 

This section, and the one he had just left, 
were located directly under the physicians ’ 
offices along the King’s Highway. It could be 
seen that there was direct connection between 
these offices and the horrible subterraneous 
apartments through which Mr. World was now 
passing. 

So many unnatural and horrible things 


SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE. 


321 


were practiced in this sub-department that 
Mr. World was shocked beyond measure, for 
he had never dreamed of the extent of the mal- 
practice to which his eyes here bore testi- 
mony. 

All these things, while at first revolting, 
were only hardening his own heart to such an 
extent that, before he had passed through the 
last wing of the department, and heard the 
apologetic words of those who were in charge, 
he concluded that these agencies conduced to 
much good. 

“Oh!” thought I, “how the light of Hell 
casts a strange coloring over the things of earth, 
thereby creating false theories of mortal life. ” 

By means of th^ pass-word Mr. World was 
enabled to visit the next department where he 
witnessed sights more revolting than in any 
place previously entered. Here groveled the 
youth under the power of so-called stimulating 
medicaments. 

Mr. World, with all his wickedness, was 
chilled with horror at these underground spec- 
tacles. 

Noticing his evident disgust, one came to 
him and offered soothing explanations to which 
he listened very attentively. 

“This is a blessed place, ” spoke the new- 
comer. “We, who are skilled in crime, give 


322 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

the youthful an expert training in the ways of 
pollution and kindred types of immorahty. It 
is far better to teach the young to sin aright 
and with least damage to themselves, than to 
place them under aU restraint and see them 
fall more wretchedly than these. ” 

With all the moral turpitude of Mr. World 
he was scarcely ready, at first hearing, to ac- 
cept this grinding sophistry of Hell. 

“Are you quite sure, my friend, doubted 
Mr. World, that you are speaking words of 
soberness to me ? Do you feel proud of the 
results of the work here accomplished?” 

“Proud indeed, for our master has given 
us encomiums for the splendid work accom- 
phshed. You see, Mr. World, it is a settled 
fact that young people wiU sin, notwithstand- 
ing all the influence exerted to the contrary. 
Such as we can persuade we take under our 
direction, and try, as soon as possible, to 
harden them in personal crime. Our physi- 
cians have special medicines to inflame their 
propensities, so that they may, by continual 
burning, consume themselves and spare the 
youth from otherwise being tormented day 
and night in these flames of passion. Are you 
so duU, Mr. World, that you cannot grasp such 
self-evident truth?” 

“ It seems now somewhat clearer to my 


SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE. 


323 


mind, but still my eyes behold such horrid 
«cenes around me. ” 

“ I cannot question that, ” continued the 
smooth-tongued agent of darkness, “yet what 
you see are but the lower stages. If you could 
look beyond these dark corridors and see the 
types of womanhood which grow out of this 
under-soil, you would no longer breathe in doubt 
or look with shuddering frame on scenes 
around you. All good things come forth 
through putrefaction. Then why should you 
despise the putrefaction ? Be content, Mr. 
World, and as you walk along the path of life, 
remember this great College underground, 
and recommend its salient features to the 
rising generation. You have signed the pledge 
and promised to aid this secret working band. 
So do it with a vim, keeping in view the blos- 
soms and the fruit of after-growth. ” 

Mr. World was completely won by this 
false and devilish reasoning, and looked on the 
whole program of shame quite philosophically. 

He took full cognizance of the far-reaching 
effects of this section and, after an interview 
with one of the head physicians, he proceeded 
to visit the next section. 

But what he saw there wiU not be told. 
No pen can describe and no tongue relate the 
loathsome filth of this last stage of immorality.. 


324 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

An awful stench filled the air arising' 
from medicines of last resort and from the 
putrefying fiesh that clothed the living skele- 
tons. 

It was by mistake that Mr. World got into 
this place. The door opened to admit a few 
^‘Unfortunates, ” as they were called by the 
attendants, and Mr. World, standing near by, 
entered without permission. 

He was no sooner inside the door than he 
was frantically seized by a sunken-eyed crea- 
ture. 

“O man of health, deliver me from this 
inner eating and from the grave that opens to 
me its mouldy mouth ! ’’ was the heart-rending 
cry that grated on the ears of Mr. World. 

Another, hearing this pleading cry, came 
rushing toward the same spot and sobbed 
piteously : 

“Oh! Mr. World, have pity on me! I had 
Help when I had means and vitality. Oh ! give 
me some relief now. ’’ 

Mr. World was so terror-stricken that he 
could not speak, but struggled with all his 
might to escape from the place. 

He gained double strength, but of no use. 
These two men imagined that they had a claim 
on him by reason of his name, and therefore 
held on with tightening grasp. 


SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE. 3l’5 

For a moment Mr. World ceased his strug- 
gling and looked at his two pitiable beseechers. 

“I can give you nothing. Why torment 
me thus ? ” he tremblingly gasped with abated 
breath. 

“In our better days we gave all we had to 
the world and now we need help. Surely you 
can give it. ” They became furious and ranted 
the more at the thought of their past foUy. 

“Why come to me? Go to Mr. Flesh, or 
ask the Devil for help, ” pleaded Mr. World. 

“We have served the World, the Flesh, and 
the Devil. All have failed us miserably. To 
whom else can we go but to anyone within our 
reach ? Oh ! forsake us not in this awful plight ! 

Poor Mr. World, unable longer to bear 
the sickening and threatening attack, sank to 
the filth-covered fioor and groaned aloud. 

At once a fierce and powerful being came 
to the rescue and, flinging the two unfortu- 
nates aside, lifted Mr. World to his feet and 
looked down upon him with his awful eyes. 

Mr. Intemperance lay crouching near the 
side of Mr. Lust, each smarting under the pain 
of his fall. 

“How came you to this place?” sternly 
asked the monster. 

“By walking in at the door, ” answered 
the terrified Mr. World. 


326 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Without permission?” he further asked. 

“There was no one there to ask, and I, 
being out sight-seeing, thought I might also 
enter in here. ” 

The monster seized Mr. World by the 
arms and looked at him in a still more fright- 
ful manner. 

“You are not yet ready to come into this 
region, and if you will solemnly pledge me 
that you will never reveal what you have seen 
here, I will conduct you safely to the door ; 
if not, you must remain here without a ray 
of hope until death gives relief. ” 

Mr. World humbled himself and gave 
double assurance of secrecy. Then the grim 
creature conducted him a httle to one side 
and bade him look down into a deep and dark 
yawning chasm. 

“Down there, ” commenced the Old Mon- 
ster, “runs the Black River deep and wide. 
The stream, coming from its distant source, 
drains the filthy realm of human society, 
and not far hence it enters into the bound- 
less ^ ocean of eternal death. The wild 
sounds which you hear are the unseen 
dashings of its never-ceasing waves, and 
the moans of those who have fallen victims 
to its merciless currents. ” 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


The Last Warning. 


1. Miss Church-Member is now induced to fre- 
quent the haunts of vice in the “Wicked Valley. ” 

2. The blessed work of Warning" as given by res- 
cue bands from the King’s Highway. 

3. The heedless throngs passing by. 

4. The experiences at this place of Mr. World and 
Miss Church- Member. 


y^^HERE was a joyful meeting in the recep- 
tion room of the Hospital when Mr. 
World, returning from his underground 
experiences, met his beloved friend Miss 
Church-Member who had recovered sufficiently 
to resume the journey. 

In joyful spirits they sauntered forth on 
the wide and pleasant path, away from the Hos- 
pital and toward their imaginary Heaven. 

Miss ^ Church-Member’s face was more 
cheerful and her footsteps more buoyant than 
at any time since she left the Valley of Con- 
viction. 

Mr. World, observing her favorable con- 
dition, complimented her with these words ; 
“Blessed be the memory of that Hospital, for 
I can see that your face is no more covered 
with the cloud of care that once robbed you of 
so many joys. The unkind intruder has 
327 


328 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


drifted away, and now the light radiates from 
your every feature. It is also plainly evident 
that you are no more tormented by a troubled 
conscience. ” 

“I am glad that my sufferings have not 
been in vain, ” she modestly declared. “May 
the new light which you so readily notice in 
my face add to the pleasantness of our journey 
and the profit of our fives. ” 

Their conversation grew more and more 
pleasant as they passed through a long stretch 
of woodland. They could see beyond them, 
and in the rear, the legions that were traveling 
the same path and in the same direction. 

Emerging from the woodland they saw 
that their path came again in close proximity 
to the King’s Highway. 

■ The intervening space between the two 
paths, called the Wicked VaUey, was all astir 
with every form of evil as practiced in the 
world of sin. In this vale nearly every trav- 
eler on the Broad Highway tarries awhile, and 
many are lured away from the Highway of 
the King here to mingle with the servants 
of Mammon. 

Mr. World and his friend paused opposite 
a cluster of magnificent buildings with front- 
age toward the Heavenly Way. Some were 
used by vulgar theatricals ; some devoted to 


THE LAST WARNING. 


329 


the sensual dance ; some were occupied by the 
Devil’s maid-servants in prostitution, and many 
others were used as haunts of intemperance 
and personal pollution. 

All along the road to perdition at thou- 
sands of places stand such clusters of buildings, 
each under the command of one of Satan’s 
most efficient leaders. 

“Here,” said Mr. World, “let us take a 
long rest. If you have your glasses properly 
adjusted you can see new beauty behind mag- 
nificent walls. ” 

She looked at first doubtfully. “Ah! I 
never frequented such places before. I would 
not as much as look at them. ” 

“I doubt not your word. Miss Church- 
Member, but remember you are growing older 
and wiser. You are no more a narrow-minded 
creature infiuenced by prejudice and sophis- 
try. ” 

She was now in a condition to imagine 
that much of her earlier instruction was erro- 
neous. She had not forgotten the teaching of 
the sermon in Mr. World’s church. Subse- 
quently she reasoned that the only way to 
learn the taste of forbidden fruit was to eat 
of it. 

“I will enter these buildings as a stu- 
dent, ” she soliloquized. “ I will be cautious. 


330 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


Surely I have sufficiently clear judgment to 
discern between good and evil. ” 

The crafty Mr. World, having won her con- 
fidence, escorted her all through the Wicked 
Valley. By a continual palliation she yielded 
one point after another until her virtue was 
sacrificed on a cursed altar. 

Satan assisted her in solving many per- 
plexing problems when she reeled in the realm 
of doubt. 

At the conclusion of their protracted visit 
I heard the wicked Mr. World say to his be- 
loved friend: ‘‘Your eyes are completely 
cured. You may now with safety lay aside the 
glasses. I hope you wUl never have occasion 
to use them again. ** 

Of the multitudes that tarried here from 
the Narrow Way very few went out at the 
front door. Having stultified themselves, they 
passed from the rooms at the rear, and 
thenceforth traveled on the other path more 
suited to their changed natures. 

The two congenial companions, proceeding 
on their way, soon overtook a company of 
church-members. 

In the social intercourse which ensued 
each one resented the criticisms of those who 
refused to leave the Old Path. 

“Verily, ” said one, “I now enjoy more 


THE LAST WARNING. 


331 


liberty. I believe the road to Heaven should be 
as broad-gauged as possible. ” 

“Certainly it should, ” said another. “Those 
who want to climb hills and continually suffer 
inconveniences may do so. As for me, I want 
to reach Heaven on the easiest road. I believe 
this course leads to Paradise just as directly as 
the other. ’ 

These utterances were highly complimented 
by Mr. World, and he said that he was to be 
congratulated on meeting and associating with 
such congenial people. “On the way on which 
we are now traveling one can reach his reward 
as certainly and as speedily as on any other 
route. In addition, one can here enjoy natural 
and graceful pleasures which of course are not 
tolerated under the eyes of selfish and narrow- 
minded bigots. ” 

I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Mem- 
ber, now more intimate than ever, pass on 
alone, ever walking more hastily. Satan had 
told them, during their stay in the Wicked Val- 
ley, that the faster they journeyed the sooner 
and the more certainly would they reach their 
reward. 

Not far from the Wicked Valley there is 
a section called the Place of Warning. It has 
been maintained for thousands of years by 
virtuous workers from the King’s Highway. 


332 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

It is the last warning-station that trav- 
elers pass before reaching the Valley of the 
Shadow of Death, and here with tearful 
earnestness do the Shining Pilgrims of the 
cross speak their words of last caution, sing 
their sweet hymns of warning, and put forth 
every other loving endeavor in the hope of 
snatching some from the thoughtless throngs 
that go rushing by toward the Dark VaUey. 

I listened and heard a voice from the Place 
of Warning speak to a motley crowd that were 
passing. 

“Whither go ye, whither go ye?” 

“We go to a better place called Heaven, ” 
answered one of the company. 

“Then come hither and go on the Path of 
Life. The way on which ye are now travel- 
ing leadeth unto everlasting death. ” 

“Aha! Aha! Aha!” cried they aU. “We 
are well informed about the way and need no 
foreign voice to give direction. ” 

Then came the solemn hymn of warning 
in words so tender and clear that each one 
could hear every sentence : 

“There’s a sad day coming, 

A sad day coming. 

There’s a sad coming by and by ; 

When the sinner shall hear his doom : 

‘Depart, I know you not. ’ 

Are you ready for that day to come ? ’’ 


THE LAST WARNING. 


333 


CHORUS : 

“Are you ready? Are you ready? 

Are you ready for the judgment day?” 

The words had not yet died on the air when 
a young man ran hastily from the company to- 
ward the Way of Life. His companions then 
gave vent to their ridicule, some even going 
after him and endeavoring to pull him back, 
but without avail. 

Some sang an idle song to drown the hymn 
of warning that still rang in their ears. Oth- 
ers engaged in boisterous conversation, and 
still others mocked with foul profanity. They 
passed on, and as far as I could see them they 
were pushing on to the Valley of Death. 

I saw another man who was heavily bur- 
dened with pieces of timber on which was 
written : “Faults of Church-Members. ” He also 
came to the Place of Warning. 

“Throw off the cumbersome weight you 
are carrying on your back, and travel on the 
way where your burden will be light, ” came 
a friendly voice from the Rescue Station. 

“I am not so foolish as to throw away my 
only hope, ” he answered with unthankfulness 
in his tone. 

“ ‘Your only hope,’” repeated the voice of 
warning, “ how can you explain such foolish 
words ? ” 


334 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 

“With passing ease. I will soon come to 
the River of Death and with these boards I 
can make myself a raft whereon I can pass 
over safely. ” 

Then spoke the voice of warning clearer 
than before : 

“O, foolish man! Knowest thou not that 
the River of Death, toward which thou art 
rapidly moving, cannot be crossed in a bark so 
frail? I have seen millions who tried in vain 
to ride its angry currents, but they sank 
beneath its dark watery. Come, O mortal man, 
if thou hast nothing better on which to de- 
pend, listen to the voice of wisdom and come, 
without delay, to the Path of Glory. ’’ 

But the man passed on. I watched him 
till he reached the river, and saw him go 
from the shore in his self-constructed raft. 

“I sink! I sink! Save me!’’ he cried in 
utmost agony of terror as his little raft 
whirled about, leaving the poor self-deceived 
feUow to the mercy of the waves. 

I saw others .as they passed the Place of 
Warning. Thousands and tens of thousands, 
some now totally deaf to every voice of warn- 
ing, some with cotton-filled ears, and others 
with instruments of music with which they 
drowned the calls of warning. 

Many more passed by who carried little 


THE LAST WARNING. 


S35 


balloons of self-righteousness with which they 
expected to rise above the murky River of 
Death. 

A young woman, who moved more cau- 
tiously, stopped at the Place of Warning and 
listened attentively. 

Directly a voice spoke to her: “Not far 
hence, O mortal woman, there is a wide river. 
It surges on forever. No one who goes this 
way can escape its waters. Listen now to the 
voice of Wisdom. Leave this blood-marked way 
of misery and woe, and come to these happier 
dominions where ‘her ways are ways of pleas- 
antness, and all her paths are peace.’ ” 

“ Surely I will not be lost, ” she replied. 
“I am depending on the mercy of God who is 
too kind to be unjust. I will come out all right 
in the end. ” 

“Take heed, my friend, ” pleaded the 
warning voice. “You are hoping for mercy at 
the dividing line between time and eternity. 
Better forget not what the Scripture saith. 
‘He that is unjust, let him b^ unjust still: and 
he which is filthy let him be filthy stiU. ’ So 
thou canst not wilfully neglect so great salva- 
tion and hope that God will cover at last aU 
thy folly. ‘ Now is the accepted tim,e ; behold, 
now is the day of salvation. ’ ‘To-day, if ye 
hear his voice, harden not your hearts,’ ” 


33G MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“You have said nothing new to me. They 
are the old thread-bare passages that I have 
heard from my youth up, and I am minded to 
accept a broader view of these statements than 
you seem to take of them. ” 

At this she tossed her head haughtily 
and continued her journey, resolving more 
firmly than ever that she would not spend 
eternity outside the Gates of Heaven. 

When she came to the Dark Valley and to 
the angry swelling currents, her pitiful prayer 
broke out from the long-covered d-epth of her 
soul. “Mercy, O mercy, to a wretch like 
me ! ” But no hand came to her rescue. 

I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Mem- 
ber as they approached the Place of Warning. 
They heard the sweet music, rendered so ex- 
cellently, but gave no attention to the sentiment 
expressed by the words. They listened only 
to the harmony of sounds. 

“O, Miss Church-Member!” pleaded a 
voice, “you who were once so earnestly en- 
gaged on the King’s Highway, will you not, be- 
fore you reach the River of Death, forsake 
your perilous course and walk on the path of 
fife eternal? ” 

These words, which would have once 
brought conviction to her heart, now only 
brought vanity to her head. 


THE LAST WARNING. 


337 


“ ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged, ’ and 
go speak to the lost, not to me so well equip- 
ped to meet the direst foe. Turn your words 
to those on the other path, who go hobbling 
along in misery, not fit to live or die. ” 

“Come, come!” put in Mr. World, “your 
pearls before swine are only trampled under 
foot. Forget not so quickly the teachings of 
our Lord. ” 

As they passed on, in a self-righteous man- 
ner, she cheerily looked into his face and said : 
“It was kind in you to come so promptly to 
my rescue. I might have prattled there a 
whole day and yet not have shown them half 
their folly. ’ ’ 


CHAPTEK XXV. 


Tlie Valley of the Shadow of Death. 

1. Mr. World and Miss Church- Member getting 
farther from the light. 

2. They drift into the deepening shadows where 
the path could be traveled only one way. 

3. The terrible experience of the two companions 
contending with the imps of the dark valley. 

4. Their sad and tragic end as they catch a 
glimpse of what they might have been. 

FTER leaving the place of the Last 
Warning, the Broad Highway grew 
darker and darker as it steadily di- 
verged from the King’s Highway. 

The little light that Satan’s pilgrims do 
enjoy is borrowed from “the path of the just 
that shineth more and more unto the perfect 
day. ” 

Mr. World saw the deepening shadows and 
endeavored to be as cheerful as usually, hoping 
thereby to prevent any alarm in the mind of 
his faithful friend. 

The path, though wide, was now steeply 
descending, and travelers often slipped on the 
steeper inclines. 

I saw that the two companions descended 
with difficulty, cautiously watching every foot- 
838 


THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. 339 

step, lest they, like many others, should faU to 
their hurt. They now gave but little attention 
to the things along the way, and when they 
did pause for rest on the easier grades, they 
found the meadows more barren and every- 
thing more dark and dank. 

Miss Church- Member had been painfully 
conscious of these unhappy contrasts, and 
asked repeatedly the meaning of all that her 
eyes beheld and her heart realized, but Mr. 
World, true to his nature, partly allayed her 
fears with words of hope and glowing prom- 
ises. 

But I heard her again ask with a quiver- 
ing voice: “Where is the light that so lately 
lent its blessed cheer, and whither go we 
stumbling downward in the dark?” 

“We only go in the darkest hour that 
comes before the dawn, ” he said with a firm 
voice but a trembling heart. “Be hopeful, 
my dear, I wUl not forsake you. ” 

Her heart was not calmed, for she could 
see his distress which he had hoped to conceal, 
and no one could minimize the surrounding 
scenes which now seemed like omens of death. 

They stood stiU, and learned, upon in- 
quiry, that they were standing in the Shadows 
of Premonition. 

Mr. World could no longer endure the 


340 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

strain. His bold attitude ^ave way to his ris- 
ing fears, for he saw that his wasted life was 
ending with no opportunity of redeeming its 
days. His whole body quivered as they 
walked still farther in a desperate effort to 
find rehef. 

Miss Church-Member was almost over- 
come as she continued looking upon the omi- 
nous darkness around. She soon realized that 
her only refuge whom she had seized by the 
arm proved miserably weak in this hour of 
great need. 

“Oh! Mr. World,” she cried, in utmost 
agony of mind, “where have you led me? 
Save me ere I perish ! ” 

He spoke not, but with his aspen fingers 
he pointed backwark toward the sloping High- 
way. Then with all eagerness they en- 
deavored to retrace their steps, but some- 
how they could do no more than stumble and 
fall, and when they were making their most 
desperate effort to return they heard a voice 
from someone invisible. This voice announced 
to them that here the path could be traveled 
only one way. The same voice urged them to 
push through the shadows and face their end 
like heroes. At this their hope died within 
them, and they ^d no mgre courage to strug- 
gle up the hill. 


THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OP DEATH. 341 

They stood again in their wretched di- 
lemma and heard the sound of distant waters, 
doleful to their ears, and from this they could 
distinguish the bitter wails of those who also 
found that they could not return. 

Mr; World and Miss Church-Member cast 
their eyes heavenward and discerned that they 
were standing in a very deep valley. They saw 
the dim outlines of all their past evil life. Their 
deeds stretched away at interminable lengthy and in 
the aggregate they were piled, like ledge upon ledge, 
until they verily shut out the mercy of a just God. 

Here they stood in the first shadow of their 
self-constructed Hell. 

“Oh, what a valley!” shrieked Miss 
Church-Member, as her consciousness now 
revealed to her more in one second than all 
the fanciful dreams of a life-time evolved. 

And Mr. World was undone. He knew 
not which way to turn. He was speechless as 
he saw so clearly the worthless product of his 
life’s work almost overarching him. 

Finally Mr. World cried out excitedly : 
“If we cannot go back, neither will we go for- 
ward ! ” 

Then a grim monster spoke in a slow, dead 
tone: “No one remaineth here; away, away 
from this place ! ” 

Miss Church-Member was terrorized at the 


342 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

presence of so cold a creature and frantically- 
cried out: “I cannot and will not endure it! 
Can I not go back to the Voice of Warning?” 

“Back? Never! No one who comes thus 
far ever goes back. During the earthly life of 
one called Jesus there was but one snatched 
from these lowlands, and he was the thief on 
the cross. ” 

” If there was chance for a thief, there 
might be hope for me, ” she sighed as her 
wretched face brightened. 

“Hope for you?” repeated the cold-hearted 
monster. “None whatever, and for none of 
your kind who come thus far. Pass on, make 
room for the thousands coming this way, the 
sound of whose tread you already hear. ” 

Looking at Mr. World she pitifully sobbed : 
“Why do you not help me? You have brought 
me here ; plead my cause. ” 

“Alas, I cannot even plead my own!” He 
could say no more, for he took a longing glance 
backward, over the hiUs of time, where he 
could truly see, for the first time, the horrible 
depth of his folly. 

Then came the monstrous creature again 
and sternly commanded them: “Tarry no 
more on this side of the river’s brink. ” 

They tasted the bitter fruits of.opportu- 
nities lost, and felt the awful pangs of a soul 






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Shadow of Death. See page 31 1. 






THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OP DEATH. 346 

without hope as their reluctant footsteps 
carried them on through the valley made dark 
by the shadow of their own deeds. 

I then heard the discordant and agoniz- 
ing wails of poor Miss Church-Member and 
her wretched companion ; but the sounds fell 
harmoniously on the ears of Satan who listened 
to them chiming with the music of Hell, in its 
deathlike rythm, as it reverberated forever 
from the depth beyond them, and from the 
throngs passing by. 

Miss Church-Member could no longer hold 
fast to Mr. World. It took both arms to con- 
tend with the real and imaginary imps who 
stood grinning at her folly, and grievously tor- 
mented her from aU sides. 

“O mercy! mercy! Where am I?” she 
shrieked. “How can you be so heartless, Mr. 
World? Why not rid me of these fiends?” 

“Cry to me no more! ” he groaned out in 
anguish. “ I am also overwhelmed with foes 
and fears that verily drag me down with in- 
fernal and relentless grasp. ” 

This only deepened her pathetic cry, for 
she saw that she was lost forever, and realized 
anew that Mr. World was unable to give help, 
contrary to aU his promises of the past. 

Then did they look forth, and beheld afar 
off the Valley of the Shadow of Death through 


346 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

which the King’s Highway passed. They saw 
that its foot-sore pilgrims leaned upon a rod 
and staff, and that they were supported by the 
pierced hands of a Friend that sticketh closer 
than a brother. 

Neither did the pilgrims fear any evil nor 
tremble at any foe, for Christ was their all in 
all, and his lovely light lit the whole valley until 
it was all aglow with heavenly radiance. 

This vision revealed to Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member the place where they might 
have been, and pierced their hearts as with a 
thousand daggers. 

They soon stood on the verge of the Awful 
River which was filled with the filth and shmy 
putrefaction of the world, the fungus growth 
of society, and the scum of all nationahties. 
From these currents came unearthly sounds, 
doleful lamentations, melancholy and hopeless. 

Not far down the stream they saw the fit- 
ful light of an eternal burning whose ghastly 
glare lit the water crests of the Black River. 

I saw a relentless monster, in deep silence, 
stretching forth his bony arm, and with his 
icy fingers he pushed the two companions 
from the brink of the river, thus bringing 
them face to face with the last enemy whose 
sharp sting they felt as they were being over- 
whelmed by the merciless waves. 









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When they who journey the King’s Highway reach the River of Death, they are met by a convoy of 

angels and borne aloft to the gates of the Celestial City. 




THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OP DEATH. 349 

Their heart-rending cries for mercy brought 
no relief. They had sinned against all light, 
and had even spurned the last kindly warning. 
The Door of Hope was shut forever. 

As they were sinking to rise no more they 
caught another vision of the Shining Pilgrims 
of the King’s Highway, and saw that when they 
reached the brink of the River of Death they 
were met by a convoy of angels, on whose 
snowy pinions they were borne aloft to the 
very gates of the Celestial City which appar- 
ently stood on white clouds. 



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